Lake Martin Living January 2026

Klark James

New Site native shoots hoops for Bama

A New Era for Idletime Family Center Paws for a Cause

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Lake Martin Living 3

From the Editor’s Desk

“E

at a vegetable.”

That was my New Year’s resolution many, many

years ago.

Like so many others, I was determined to hit my fitness goal that year – and the idea was simple. If there was a daily reminder to eat at least one vegetable, maybe it would help spark other healthy choices throughout the day. Drink another glass of water instead of a soda. Squeeze in a jog before work. Pass on the Snickers bar at a gas station stop.

I scribbled that message on a yellow sticky note and stuck it to my closet wall, making it impossible to ignore each morning. And it worked. I surpassed my goal and was the healthiest I had felt in years.

When the year ended, the resolution technically did too – but the phrase stuck with me. “Eat a vegetable” became less about food and more about encouragement to achieve smaller goals.

As the next new year approached, I found myself rewatching Jim Carrey’s classic movie, Yes Man, and that silly little mantra took on a new shape. The resolution shifted into saying yes to more opportunities.

That year I went skydiving, white water rafting, attended countless concerts and created some of my favorite memories that I still laugh about today.

Over time, those small daily commitments and the willingness to say yes merged with something bigger: a desire to help others. My husband and I began working with nonprofit organizations, raising thousands of dollars and even logging more than 100 hours of community service in a single year.

What started as a silly, manageable goal evolved into confidence, purpose and the courage to set larger goals that once felt out of reach.

Many of those have since become major milestones and achievements in my life.

That same spirit shapes the stories throughout this month’s issue.

On page 30, meet Klark James, a New Site native whose determination, faith and love for basketball helped him overcome overwhelming challenges and carry him from the small town courts of Horseshoe Bend School to the national stage of the SEC. On page 14, Jennie Zinn, founder of Lake Martin Animal Rescue, is setting her goals high as she prepares for the upcoming Fur Ball, raising funds to support the organization she created to give animals a second chance at life.

And on page 26, the Jones siblings take center stage as they tackled a massive renovation project, bringing a fresh, new look to Idletime Family Center while carrying on their father’s passion and legacy.

Statistics say most New Year’s resolutions fade by February. But sometimes all it takes is one small, intentional step to build momentum toward something meaningful and memorable.

So this year, eat your vegetable – whatever that may be.

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 Lori Harrell 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 Abbie Clayton 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

Hailing from the small town courts of Horseshoe Bend School, Klark James never gave up on his dreams of playing college basketball. Even when faced with setbacks, he was driven by determination and faith to pave his way to play in the SEC for the University of Alabama.

Photo by Audra Spears

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FEATURES 14. PAWS FOR A CAUSE Meet the passionate animal lover behind Lake Martin Animal Rescue as the organization gears up to host its second annual Fur Ball.

26. ROLLING FORWARD Alexander City's Idletime Family Center recieves fresh renovations as two siblings continue the legacy their father built.

30. KLARK JAMES: HOMETOWN HOOPS TO THE SEC Led by faith and determination, New Site native Klark James shares his basketball journey to the collegiate level.

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

26

For more than 40 years, Idletime Family Center has been a staple to the Alexander City community, providing a place for families to strike up memories and a fun time.

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

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1/4/24 10:00 AM

AROUND THE AREA

Peace announces retirement from Russell Medical When Jim Peace first graduated from Auburn University, he had one dream in mind: own and operate nursing homes or senior living facilities. And he achieved that dream.

After working for a company that owned nursing homes and hospitals, Peace and a set of friends decided to go into business together, purchasing two hospitals and two nursing homes.

“I was moving toward the purchase of my first nursing home, and life was good,” Peace said. “I wasn’t even 30 years old yet, but I spent the next year trying to get my butt away from it. It was an education, to say the least.”

Fast forward, and Peace is now retiring as the CEO of Russell Medical, a position he has held for nearly two decades.

At just 26 years old, Peace became a CEO at his first hospital, and he has been

in similar positions ever since. It was a fortuitous event that led Peace to Alex City.

After selling a beach home, Peace was visiting Atlanta with his son and stayed with a friend on Lake Martin for his return trip. Peace invited his wife to come down and spend the weekend.

“We loved it so much, we bought a lot that day,” Peace said.

It wasn’t too long before Peace got a call from former Russell Medical CEO Frank Harris, who was on his way out.

After he began at Russell Medical in 2008, Peace was named the Alex City Chamber of Commerce’s businessperson of the year and Russell Medical was placed on the Top 100 Hospitals list by Reuters.

The hospital has also undergone a series of advancements and expansions, including the opening of Total Healthcare and Urgent Care in 2015, the transitional care

The End of an Era

Jim Peace retires after nearly two decades of leadership at Russell Medical.

unit in 2019 and the Benjamin Russell Center for Advanced Care in 2024. ~ Lizi Arbogast

CACC students recieve scholarships

New Year, New Baby

Tallapoosa County welcomes in the first baby of 2026 as youngster Jacob-Yaziel Medrano Aviles was born at Russell Medical at 8:20 a.m. January 2.

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Call 256-234-4281 to subscribe.

Central Alabama Community College students Sherlyn Luna, Cade Newell and Vivek Patel recently received scholarships from the Alexander City branch of River Bank & Trust.

River Bank & Trust Tallapoosa County president Randy Dawkins and marketing director Marcia Johnson visited the CACC campus to present this semester’s contribution and meet with scholarship recipients.

The donation marks the beginning of a new partnership between River Bank & Trust and CACC, with both organizations focused on supporting access to higher education for local students, according to a press release.

“We appreciate River Bank & Trust’s willingness to invest in our students,” CACC president Jeff Lynn said in the press release. “Support like this helps students stay focused on

Stay connected: @lakemartinlivingmagazine @lake_martin_living_magazine

their goals. We look forward to continuing our work with Randy, Marcia and the River Bank & Trust team.”

Dawkins said the visit reinforced the value of supporting students at the local level.

“Spending time with the students and hearing their stories put the importance of this support into perspective,” Dawkins said. “River Bank & Trust is committed to helping our communities grow and partnering with CACC makes sense. We are glad to support students as they prepare to enter the workforce.”

CACC and River Bank & Trust plan to continue working together to expand scholarship opportunities and strengthen community connections. ~ Staff Report

Scan the QR code to visit our website.

Lake Martin Living 9

GO LOCAL

Finding Stillness at Wisp & Well D STORY & PHOTOS BY SAM VISE

riving down County Road 34 in Dadeville, one might expect the familiar sights of the Alabama countryside – pines, rolling hills and the wideopen sky. But step through the doors of Wisp & Well Spa at Lake Martin, and the landscape shifts into a hidden retreat.

Guests are immediately enveloped in a fragrant cloud of essential oils, a curated wisp of wellness that acts as a physical barrier between the busy to-do lists and a moment of calm.

It is the kind of scent that grounds visitors in the present moment, ensuring that the hustle and bustle of daily life feels miles away, and the only thing on the agenda is the art of the inhale.

For co-owner Janice Roe, this space is more than a business – it’s a return to her roots and a reclamation of peace. Roe, a veteran massage therapist and master cosmetologist, previously owned a spa known as Oasis.

After selling the business years ago to focus on her own wellness and yoga practice, circumstances shifted and the building came back into Roe’s path this past summer, providing a fresh opportunity for her to intentionally shape the space into what is now Wisp & Well.

“Life got busy, and I was just very stressed with too many irons in the fire,” Roe recalled.

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“We’re trying to make sure that this time, we really hold this space as a center of calm.”

And, she isn’t doing it alone. This time, Roe is partnering with her daughter, Hope Taunton, whose dream was to revitalize the space. Taunton, who spent years working in therapeutic wilderness programs for at-risk youth, brings a deep-seated belief in the power of nature and community to the duo’s mission.

“We wanted to go with what our hearts desired,” Taunton said. “We both agreed on the holistic concept – we want things to be more natural. Wisp & Well is more of a community hub; it’s a space where we want people to feel welcome.

We want people to come in, have tea, talk with us and enjoy the bigger picture.”

Wisp & Well officially opened its doors in August 2025, offering a curated menu of services designed to treat the whole body.

Its offerings include spa and wellness experiences, such as massages and stretching sessions; beauty enhancement services, including facials and waxing; and wellness and mindfulness services, complete with saunas and yoga sessions.

The holistic label isn’t just marketing; it’s a strict standard at Wisp & Well. Roe and Taunton are meticulous about what crosses their threshold.

Luxury Awaits

Facing Page Clockwise from Left: The spa offers a variety of holistic products; Massages are one of the many offerings; Wisp & Well is located in Dadeville; A new sauna and cold plunge await guests; Mother daughter duo Hope Taunton and Janice Roe.

“We try to limit toxic exposure as much as possible,” Roe said. “Everything we order, we have sampled and loved. If we love it, we’re going to share it with others.”

The pair’s passion for natural wellness is deeply personal. ​​ For Roe, the path to a “toxic-free” life began as an escape from a childhood shadowed by family addiction and mental illness. She recalled a youth spent navigating a maze of doctors and prescriptions, an experience that left her feeling like an unhealthy child in a cycle she was determined to break.

“We need to slow down and let ourselves be,” Roe said, looking back on a time when stress nearly caused her body to fail. “God gave our bodies and the earth the tools to heal us a lot of the time. We love to show people how to stay ahead of the game; I want to teach people about the healing of your whole body, your mind and everything in between.”

Taunton’s wellness journey stemmed from growing up watching her mother’s intentional lifestyle changes and was also influenced by a grandfather who farmed his own food, teaching her that healthy and delicious go hand-in-hand.

“My grandfather had a garden and farmed, so I was introduced to fresh food at a young age,” Taunton said. “And I watched my mom on her own journey. She would choose different things, like essential oils, to help take care of me when I was sick. The education she instilled in me about taking care of myself is really what got me to where I want to be.”

Looking to the future, Wisp & Well aims to be more than just a place for a facial – it’s becoming a center of calm for the community. Plans are in the works for monthly wellness offerings, including donation-based yoga, community hikes and potentially partnering with local artisans to stock clean, locally made products.

They are also exploring sound bath meditation sessions, a restorative practice using singing bowls to induce deep relaxation and reduce stress.

Despite the ebb and flow of the community’s tourist season, Roe and Taunton aren’t worried about pushing for business. Their philosophy is as gentle as their name suggests.

“If you just relax and let things come, they really do,” Roe said. “That’s our theory – let things come naturally and organically.”

Whether a local resident or a weekend visitor, Wisp & Well offers a rare commodity in a fast-paced world: the chance to slow down, be gentle and simply be.

“My thing is, I really want to teach people that they’re wonderful and beautiful for who they are,” Roe said. “Not for what they can do, not for what they can give, but truly, just for who they are.”

Wisp & Well Spa at Lake Martin is located at 8336 County Road 34 in Dadeville. The front desk is open Tuesday through Friday.

Appointments are accepted Monday through Saturday. For more details, visit wispandwellspa. com.

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Paws for a Cause STORY BY SAM VISE PHOTOS BY SAM VISE, SHAYLEE BECK MOORE & COURTESY OF JENNIE ZINN

F

or many, a typical morning consists of coffee and quiet contentment, but for Jennie Zinn, the morning rhythm is set to a different beat – the frantic wag of a tail, the soft purr of a friendly feline and the buzz of phone calls from a community in need.

Zinn and her husband moved to Eclectic in 2013, the same year their youngest daughter was born. They are local entrepreneurs through and through – owning a marina, a boat storage facility and a house-cleaning business. While boat engines and cleaning schedules paid the bills, Zinn’s heart lied elsewhere.

“I’ve always taken in strays and helped them get what they needed, such as vet care and hopefully finding them a home,” Zinn said. “One day, my husband said, ‘Why don’t you start a nonprofit and try to get donations to help you, and you can do more of this because it seems like your passion.’ So, that’s what I did.”

The organization didn’t start in a fancy facility; it began with two kennels in a garage, a few fans for the summer heat and a lot of hay for the winter.

Initially, Zinn named it Lake Martin Animal Sanctuary, but most people associated that name with a place that takes animals in to live out their lives and doesn’t adopt them out. To ensure the public knew her goal was to find every animal a “furever” home, Zinn rebranded her nonprofit to Lake Martin Animal Rescue.

“A lot of times, people confuse us with the local shelter, which we are not affiliated with,” she said. “We are a nokill, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) rescue.

I take in neglected and abused animals, give them the vet care they need, the training they need and adopt them out to new, loving homes.”

In eight years, Zinn has rescued more than 1,000 animals, ranging from abandoned dogs to managed cat colonies through her trap-neuterrelease program.

Though Zinn puts in roughly 70 hours a week without a paycheck, she isn’t doing it alone.

Zinn is grateful for the support of community members that help fulfill her mission, including Dr. Randall Plaisance and his staff at Castaway Animal Clinic in Eclectic. The clinic provides Lake Martin Animal Rescue with discounted veterinary care, as well as a low cost spay and neuter program for the community through the rescue’s account.

In addition, her 12-year-old daughter, Abigail, has grown up alongside the rescue, learning how to care for the sick animals and help dogs with behavioral issues become child-friendly.

“My daughter has been a great help with the dogs,” Zinn said. “It’s about watching the animals come out of their shell, recover and then seeing them in a home and being loved. My mission is to help as many as I can.”

That mission goes beyond A Heart of Hope

Facing Page: Jennie Zinn holds Draker, a cat available for adoption through the rescue; Left: Lake Martin Animal Rescue provides a temporary home for animals.

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just sheltering. Today, the rescue is a community resource, providing dog food to families hit by hard times or helping military members during government shutdowns.

“One person can make a huge difference,” Zinn said.

“Whatever you have to offer is better than the life these animals are living on the side of the road, scrounging for their next meal. They’re just happy to see you when you get home.”

While the facility provides safety, Zinn emphasized that a kennel is no substitute for a home. The rescue is in constant need of fosters, and Zinn is quick to dispel the myth that fostering requires a long-term commitment.

“We can always use fosters, whether that be for a night or a few days on the weekends when you’re off work,” she said. “It gives the animals time to get out of the facility and feel like part of a family, at least for a little bit.”

Though the rescue began as being solely foster-based, Zinn quickly noticed the need for a fully operating facility, which caused expenses to climb. Between power, water and Wi-Fi, the basic operating costs – before a single vet bill is paid – sit at about $23,000 a year.

Enter Rhonda Gaskins, a local real estate agent with a lifelong passion for animals who saw a gap in how fundraising was being done. After seeing out-of-state organizations come to town and raise money for animals based in other cities, she decided that it was time to keep

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the funds locally for animals in need.

Her passion sparked what is now known as the Fur Ball, a high-end Valentine’s-themed gala that gives locals a chance to dress up for a good cause.

“It was funny, because in five hours, I had the whole thing planned,” Gaskins said of a car ride home from North Carolina. “By the time my husband and I hit Auburn, I had the venue, the band, the caterer – I had it all done.”

Held at The Mitchell House in Dadeville, this year will mark the second annual gala to benefit Lake Martin Animal Rescue, featuring music by Charlie C. & The Cuzamatics and a steak dinner catered by Scott Blake.

“It’s a chance to dress up and come have a great time,” Gaskins said. “We expect the dance floor to be packed.

It’s always fun to get together with friends and have a nice dinner with everyone.”

Last year, the inaugural Fur Ball raised $30,000 – a vital asset in sustaining the rescue throughout the year. For the 2026 gala, Gaskins and Zinn are hoping to meet or exceed that fundraising number.

While the silent auction is expected to be a hit yet again, Zinn is looking forward to raising funds through a live auction as well.

“We are still looking for some big-ticket items that really get the bidding paddles moving,” she said. “Last year we had someone donate a beach trip, another donated a few

nights’ stay at a Walt Disney Fur Ball Fun Clockwise from Far Left: World Resort. The funds raised A silent auction raises really helped me get through funds to help support the past year.” the rescue; The annual For Zinn, the evening not fundraising event is held only serves as a chance to at The Mitchell House raise funds for the rescue; it’s with dinner and live a night for her to step away music; The Zinn family from the kibble and kennel at the inaugural Fur Ball. cleanings and spend time with the community that keeps her mission alive.

“I’m normally in jeans and work boots,” Zinn said. “So, it’s a night where I get to dress up and have fun with people who are passionate about the same thing I am.”

As the rescue looks toward the future, the need for fosters and community donations remains constant, but so does Zinn’s mission to ensure that no furry friend is left behind.

The 2026 Fur Ball will take place February 13 at 6 p.m. at The Mitchell House. Tickets can be purchased on the Lake Martin Animal Rescue Facebook page.

To learn more about Lake Martin Animal Rescue, its mission or how to donate, contact Zinn at 334-380-6250 or lmas2017@yahoo.com. To learn more about the Fur Ball or how to become a sponsor, contact Gaskins at 256-749-3644.

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Slow Cooker Sausage Tortellini Soup

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S

ome meals feel like home, and this sausage tortellini soup is one of them. It’s the kind of dinner that settles you in and makes the whole house feel cozier.

This soup is meant to be shared and is perfect for family suppers, casual gatherings or those evenings when you want something warm and comforting after a long day.

In my home, slow cooker meals are a way of life. When the days are full, it’s nice to know a warm, homemade dinner is waiting at the end of it all. This is the kind of soup I like to set-and-forget, and it always hits the spot.

Tortellini soup is a reminder that good food doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s as simple as letting a pot simmer quietly on the counter, filling the home with a rich, savory aroma and feeding the family a comforting meal. A pot of soup makes it all feel a little cozier.

As it cooks, the broth turns creamy, the vegetables soften just right and the tortellini makes this soup feel extra special. It’s the kind of dinner where there will be second helpings and longer conversations around the table.

If you’re lucky enough to have Gina Abernathy leftovers, they only get better. The flavors continue to meld, making reheated bowls just as delicious as the first. Knowing there’s something homemade waiting in the fridge, ready to warm you up whenever you need it, is comforting.

Whether served on a cold evening or a rainy afternoon, this soup earns its place as a seasonal staple. It’s satisfying and the kind of recipe that feels like home. So grab a stack of bowls, a loaf of crusty bread and you have a hearty, filling meal that’s always welcome at the table.

Here’s to warm kitchens, full bowls and many good meals ahead. Happy New Year!

GOOD EATS

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

Recipe Tips • C ook the sausage first before adding it

to the slow cooker. This step is necessary to render the fat from the sausage and prevent the soup from becoming greasy.

• C ut the cream cheese into tiny cubes so it melts evenly. Cream cheese is optional and sometimes doesn’t completely melt in the soup.

• I f using fresh spinach, stir it in with the tortellini so it stays bright and green.

• A dd the tortellini 30 minutes before serving so it doesn’t get too soft.

• A large crockpot is needed. A 6-quart slow cooker was used for this recipe, and it filled to the top.

INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon oil 1 pound ground pork sausage (mild or hot) 1 large onion, diced 2 cups carrots, diced 1 cup celery, diced 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 5 cups chicken stock or broth 2 1/2 cups whole milk 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into small chunks, optional 14 ounces can diced tomatoes 10 to 12 ounces frozen spinach 1 teaspoon each salt, pepper and dried rosemary 16 ounces refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini

DIRECTIONS In a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil, sausage and onion. Cook until the sausage is no longer pink, breaking it into pieces as it cooks. Drain the grease or use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker except the tortellini. Stir well and add the lid. Cover and cook for 4 to 5 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low. About 30 minutes before serving, stir the soup, add the tortellini, stir again and cook for another 30 minutes. If using cream cheese, keep in mind it may not completely melt. There will be small bits left after stirring. Ladle into bowls and serve warm with crusty bread or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

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Mighty Evergreens The vibrant and versatile element every home needs

D

uring the dreary and dull months of winter, there’s not a lot of excitement in the home garden and landscape. Most of the prized flowers, shrubs and trees are still dormant, awaiting the arrival of warm spring weather to come alive again. But during the winter season, there is a large, important group of plants that take center stage prominently. If you look around, all the evergreen shrubs and trees are more noticeable; there’s really no color featured in winter but almighty green.

Let’s define what evergreen plants are. They are plants that retain or have green leaves throughout the year, unlike deciduous plants that shed all their foliage annually. Evergreens do shed their leaves gradually, replacing them with new ones.

They are unique in that they have various textures and leaf types, from needle-like (pines) to scale-like (cedars) to broad leaves

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(magnolias). Their leaves are often tougher, waxier or smaller to conserve moisture and survive dry and cold conditions. And of course, they always display some hue of green.

Despite not getting a lot of hype, evergreens are the most widely used plants and are the staple and foundation of home and commercial landscapes.

Just think what our yards would look like without them.

They would be totally bare and boring in the winter. Our deciduous shrubs and trees are great during the spring, Winter Wonders summer Magnolias are and fall, but prized evergreens are simply due to their dark invisible green leaves and when it elegant white flowers.

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is cold outside. Evergreens help take the focus off those bare areas and provide natural beauty and interest when and where it is needed most. During the warmer months, the color green provides continuity as well as the backdrop for when other plants shine and display vibrant shades of color.

Evergreen shrubs and trees provide so much unique diversity in use that it is best to discuss and categorize them based on placement and arrangement.

You will notice that evergreens are often planted around and up against a house or building. That is because they are the top plant group for foundation plantings. Being evergreen, they block unsightly areas, soften the base of a building and provide contrasting color, even if it is mostly green. Because height is typically an issue and one does not want to obstruct windows or porches, smaller evergreens that are 3 to 5 feet in height are ideal for foundation plantings. Dwarf yaupon hollies, boxwoods, azaleas, dwarf gardenias, pittosporum and Indian hawthorn are best used this way. Some even provide seasonal blooms, which are an added bonus.

Next to the foundation plantings will often be a few corner plantings.

Taller evergreens are used and placed on the corners of a building when others are too small and height and space are not so limited. Corner plantings blend the vertical line of the wall with the horizontal plane of Shane Harris the ground and help with balance, proportion and sequence of plants.

Common evergreen options for corner plantings are gardenias, camellias, Japanese cleyera, Italian cypress, Japanese aucuba, ligustrum and various tree hollies.

Pay attention to height and width restrictions when choosing plants near buildings to avoid overcrowding and unnecessary pruning.

A popular use for evergreens is when they are arranged as hedges and screens in the landscape. Hollies and boxwoods, in particular, have historically been used in formal gardens as hedges along paths or to create living fences, windbreaks or rooms in the garden. Their smaller leaves allow them to be sheared and shaped to create a very unnatural look.

Maintaining hedges is quite laborious.

Other evergreens sometimes used to Green Machines Top to Bottom: create hedges are privet and euonymus.

Arborvitaes are the Large and tall evergreen varieties are preferred choice indeed required if you wish to screen for property screens; or hide unwanted views and objects, The beauty of block neighbors and define property evergreens is their lines and create privacy areas. These variety; Shrubs have historically been used plants are likely to be trees and are and shaped as hedges; expected to grow quickly and get big.

Facing Page: Camellias A screen needs to be at least 6 feet high to be effective. Common plant options put on a show every fall and winter. for screens are arborvitae, holly trees,

GARDEN TALK

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Southern Roots Home Landscape and Garden Classes

Traditional in person seasonal classes for audiences who wish to learn more about basic lawn and garden information. Taught by local Horticulture Extension Agents.

Southern Roots magnolias, tea olive, wax myrtle, Eastern red cedar and pines. Leyland cypress is not recommended nor planted as much today due to extreme susceptibility to fatal diseases and environmental stress.

Any size evergreen shrub can be used as a border, such as along the edge of a yard or fence; however, borders do not have to be tall. For example, a low border of evergreen shrubs can be used to separate a driveway from the lawn. They can also be strategically Jan. 23 – Soil Science and Fertility placed to direct foot traffic. Used in a border is It all starts with the right soil and nutrients an ideal way to showcase favorite evergreens that produce beautiful flowers and deserve a spot to be Feb. 6 – Yard Maintenance enjoyed. Notable examples include camellias, October 3rd -azaleas,Basics of Landscape Design - planning, plant selection & Pruning, planting, spraying, mulching gardenias, abelia, loropetalum, barberry, magnolias, placement. and composting rhododendron and mountain laurel. Group them th - Trees of Alabama - tree identification, selection, evaluation, and October 17be together where they deserve a spot to enjoyed.

Feb. 20 – Home Grown Fruits Lastly, there are times when care. a special individual Fruit selection, planting, training and pruning evergreen can be featured in the home stlandscape as the Backyard Wildlife - attracting wildlife verses limiting nuisance October 31 sole center of attention. This is referred to as a specimen animals.

Each class is $10 per person and will be held in the plant. How we use Christmas trees today during the holiday season, traditionally an evergreen, would be an Tallapoosa County Extension Auditorium in Dadeville, AL indoor example. Outdoor specimen plants from 9 a.m.

– Noon Each classusually is $10have per person and will be heldoninFridays the Tallapoosa County Extension distinguished characteristics such as flowers, fall foliage, Auditorium in Dadeville, Alabama on Fridays from 9 a.m. - 12 noon. fruit, bark, fragrance or shape that make them worthy Details and Registration of special attention. Common large evergreens used as www.aces.edu/go/southernroots Details and Registration @ www.aces.edu/go/southern-roots specimen plants include a Southern magnolia in the or call the County call Tallapoosa County Extension atTallapoosa 256-825-1050 lawn, a large camellia near a patio orora large holly tree Extension Office 256-825-1050 beside the driveway.

Enjoy and appreciate the evergreens. They don’t get as much recognition and fanfare as other trees and shrubs, but they are must-haves in the landscape.

They deserve a second glance. You will find mighty evergreens standing tall and proud, green and beautiful, and growing there for year-round enjoyment.

Home Landscape and Garden Classes Traditional in-person seasonal classes for audiences who wish to learn more about basic lawn and garden information.

WINTER 2026 Taught by local Horticulture Extension Agents.

Fall 2025

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator, employer, and

Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator, employer, and provider. If you need a For help with other home The and garden questions, reasonable accommodation or free language access services, contact Tallapoosa County Extension at 256-825-1050. provider.

If you need a reasonable accommodation or free language access services, contact Tallapoosa County Extension at 256-825-1050. contact your local county Extension office or visit us online at aces.edu.

COMING SOON

~ Shane Harris is the county Extension director for Tallapoosa County.

SPRING 2026 Home Grown Vegetables Home Lawn Management Flowers & Colorful Plants

SUMMER 2026 Plant Propagation World of Insects Plant Diagnostics

Lake Martin Living 25

Rolling Forward Renovations spark a new chapter at Idletime Family Center STORY & PHOTOS BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE

T

he crash of bowling pins, the steady whirl of roller skates and the echos of laughter and excited voices have long filled the space of Idletime Family Center. For more than 40 years, those familiar sounds have marked countless birthdays, bowling league nights and family outings in Alexander City.

While the community knows Idletime as a place to spend time together, for the Jones siblings, Michael and Angela, it represents much more – an entire childhood built on nostalgic memories they shared within the venue their father poured his heart into.

Their father, Michael H. Jones, opened the center in the early 1980s, building on a family legacy that stretches back generations.

It began with Michael and Angela’s grandfather, who constructed a roller skating rink by hand, built a putt-putt course on his own property and later owned an eight-lane bowling center in Jackson, Alabama.

Light up the Night

Clockwise from Left: Michael and Angela Jones carry on their father's legacy; Idletime offers a variety of entertainment options; New bowling lanes were a part of the remodel; The new skating rink features a glow-in-the-dark theme.

26 Lake Martin Living

That tradition continued when Michael H. Jones and his wife operated a roller skating rink in Mobile, Alabama, where they shared their passion for skating and bowling with their children at an early age.

“I grew up in a skating rink,” Angela said. “I had a crib, actually, in the DJ booth of the skating rink in Mobile, so I was pretty much raised there.”

Lake Martin Living 27

The siblings grew up participating in bowling leagues and skating at various rinks, activities they still enjoy doing today as adults.

“We were in diapers and grew up on skates from day one,” Michael said. “Then our dad bought this place, and we just continued to carry it on.”

The purchase of Idletime Family Center happened almost by chance.

While delivering church pews in Alexander City for his father’s manufacturing business, Michael H. Jones parked in the lot of a small bowling alley that was for sale. Jumping on the opportunity, he purchased the building and, over time, expanded the center by buying the business next door and converting it into the roller skating rink seen today.

At its height, Idletime hosted nine bowling leagues a week, from early-morning senior leagues to youth leagues on Saturdays. The skating rink also hosted teen nights and allnight skate events for children.

A popular place for the community, the center reflected the spirit of the man who ran it.

“He was always a fun person,” Angela said. “He played with the kids, and we had good times. He tried to make it fun for everybody.”

That way of life changed after an unexpected turn in 2021, when Michael H. Jones suffered a massive stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving him paralyzed. As his health declined and signs of dementia appeared, he could no longer manage the business he loved.

Faced with the heart wrenching possibility of closing Idletime, the siblings stepped in. Both still worked full time – Angela as a human resource coordinator at Southern Union State Community College and Michael with Alex City Grading LLC. – but neither were ready to see their father’s dream or legacy fade away.

“This was my dad’s dream,” Angela said. “And there’s not a lot for families to do in this town, so we want to keep it open

28 Lake Martin Living

for the community.”

Since taking over in 2021, the siblings have worked long weekends at Idletime in addition to their full-time jobs, managing the snack bar and greeting guests at the front desk.

As they settled into running the business, the need for updates became more apparent to Michael and Angela.

At first, improvements came in small steps, such as upgraded restrooms and a new air conditioning unit, but it quickly became clear the center needed more. Decades had passed without a true remodel, and the siblings knew that if Idletime was going to move forward, it needed a fresh start.

“To be honest, it probably has needed a remodel since I was a teenager,” Angela said. “We just knew that the skating side needed a facelift, and I told Michael that’s our next big project.”

In September 2025, they committed to the biggest change in the center’s history. Over the course of four months, while juggling full-time jobs and caring for their father, the siblings led a full remodel themselves, putting in long hours of handson work. Many of the vintage elements of the center were kept in place, including the 1960s Brunswick A-series pinsetters, while bowling lanes were replaced and new monitors were installed.

The most dramatic transformation came on the skating side. Inspired by an electric glow-in-the-dark theme, old carpet flooring was removed and replaced with a new interlocking surface while neon stars cover the walls and shine under new blacklights, creating a vibrant and exciting atmosphere.

The project came together with the help of friends and the community, as longtime customers and bowling league members rolled up their sleeves and pitched in.

“We had a lot of people that helped us with the remodel,” Michael said. “They were longtime customers, and their families were customers before that. They would come up here every weekend to step in and help out.”

Over the course of the transformation, Michael H. Jones was there in spirit. Throughout the renovation, the siblings shared progress photos with their father at home, helping keep him connected to the family center that meant so much to him.

Since Idletime’s reopening in December, the remodel has sparked a flurry of business and excitement in the community, with families lining up at the doors and filling the lanes and skate rink on weekend nights. Along with bowling and skating, Idletime also offers pool tables, arcade games and specialty events such as cosmic bowling, birthday parties and church group rates. In the future, the center plans to also add adult skate nights.

For the Jones siblings, the goal remains the same as it was when their father first opened the doors – to provide an affordable place where families can spend time together.

“We’re not run by a franchise,” Angela said. “We’re an individual run business and want to give families somewhere to go to where they’re not having to spend a whole lot of money to enjoy an activity together.”

For Michael and Angela, stepping into Idletime was never just about keeping the doors open. It was about continuing what the Jones family have always believed in – the best memories Skating into a New Era are made when families share Facing Page Left to Right: them together.

Idletime provides a wellequipped snack bar; The Idletime Family Center is family center is buzzing located at 693 Airport Drive with new business; Right: in Alexander City. For more Roller skating is a favorite information and hours, visit pastime for Angela to share the Idletime Family Center with friends and family.

Facebook page.

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Klark James From hometown hoops to the SEC stage STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE PHOTOS BY SAMUEL HIGGS & COURTESY OF KLARK JAMES

A

s the squeaking sound of sneakers cut against hardwood floors, the pace quickens, pressure builds and hearts race while the clock ticks down to the final buzzer. It’s the kind of adrenaline rush that fuels competitive spirits, and where instinct meets preparation at the highest level.

For Klark James, stepping onto an SEC basketball court this past fall was the result of his lifetime commitment to the game and determination, rising above doubters, friends turned critics, and proving to everyone – including himself – that he was made for this moment.

Most importantly, it was a testament of holding on to faith when the path forward felt the most uncertain.

Klark hails from New Site, where small-town life was all he ever knew.

He was raised there by his parents, Kevin and Shelley James, alongside his older brother, Kevin Jr. From an early age, faith, family and hard work were the values instilled in him, laying the foundation that would guide him through every challenge he would face as he pursued his basketball dreams.

“I’ve never been too tall or too athletic, but it has always been hard work that I feel like has gotten me anywhere,” Klark said. “My dad is my role model, and since I was young, he was always telling me that if I wanted to have anything, I would have to work for it.”

From the time Klark was a toddler and could run, he had a basketball in his hand.

“He was about 3 years old and already fiddling around with the basketball,” Kevin said. “So, we got him out there and got him into the game. He had a natural talent for it.”

Basketball ran deep in the James family. Kevin grew up with a passion for the game, playing throughout high school and later in pickup games after college.

He regularly played in a First Baptist Church league, and occasionally the adults would let Klark jump in. Despite being a child at the time, Klark could hold his own on the court, often making shots against the grown men.

As he grew older, Kevin signed his son up for youth basketball leagues. Still, it wasn’t until junior high that Klark truly fell in love with the game and began to realize he was good at it.

But he was soon met with his first challenge.

Klark wasn’t as tall as his friends at the time, or the pro-basketball

30 Lake Martin Living

players he admired. While role models like Steph Curry stood well over 6 feet tall, Klark hovered just above 5 feet in his teenage years.

Leaning on his faith, Klark would pray to become taller.

“In seventh and eighth grade, I was doing everything I could, but I was still only 5foot-3,” Klark said. “So, I was praying that I would grow, gain a little weight and put on some muscle. And, finally, I grew in about 11th grade.”

Seeing his son’s growing commitment to the game, Kevin bought Klark a basketball hoop the summer before eighth grade. Klark spent those summers shooting endlessly, refining his skills.

Klark eventually earned his way onto the varsity basketball team as a freshman at Horseshoe Bend School; however, he found himself watching the action from the bench. It was a pivotal moment for him, sparking a deeper drive to earn his place on the court.

“I was on varsity, but I was sitting the bench,” Klark said.

“And I thought, all right, I either have to work hard or I’m going to be here the rest of my life.”

Klark began to devote every free moment to improving his game. He spent his summers at team workouts, followed by extra shooting sessions after practice. He often asked his coaches for the gym keys so he could stay late, alone, putting up shots long after everyone else left.

By his senior year, Klark’s routine was relentless, doubling up on his practice hours.

“I was definitely overdoing it my senior year because I wanted it really bad,” Klark said. “I thought it was now or never.”

Though Klark had big dreams and was putting in the work, he wrestled with self-doubt. He faced constant criticism from others, including some of his closest friends, whenever he shared his hopes of playing basketball beyond high school.

“They were literally crushing my dreams in front of me,” Klark said. “These are supposed to be my best friends, but they were making fun of me for trying to chase my dream, when in reality, we all only get one shot.”

Despite it all, Klark held on to his collegiate basketball goals. As high school was coming to an end, he frequently traveled out of state to try out for teams. But while many schools were interested, scholarship Nothing but Net offers often fell through Facing Page: Klark or came back as partial in his University offers. of Alabama uniform; Even while juggling Right: Klark playing the many moving pieces, for the Horseshoe Bend Generals in 2021.

Klark maintained a 3.7

grade point average, landing him an unexpected opportunity of a lifetime.

Klark received an offer in the mail for a presidential scholarship from the University of Alabama. While a full ride and paid tuition would seem like a dream come true for most college-bound students, for Klark, it was an invitation to end his pursuit of college ball. In his mind, he would never be able to make the Crimson Tide basketball team, and he wasn’t ready to give up on his basketball career just yet.

“I didn’t want to go to Alabama and just be a student,” Klark said. “I knew that the scholarship was going to pay for all my tuition, room and board – it would be free school.

But I really wanted to play basketball.”

Not wanting his father to see the offer, Klark threw the letter in the trash, hoping it would go unnoticed. It didn’t.

Kevin found it and sat Klark down to discuss the decision, reminding him of the reality of rising college costs and encouraging him to take advantage of the opportunity that was presented in front of him.

Klark was faced with the dilemma of a lifetime. With a future of basketball laying just outside his reach, Klark made the heartbreaking decision to set his dreams aside and attend Alabama the following fall.

“I was so mad,” Klark said. “I was set on going to a junior college. I thought

“My dad is my role model, and since I was young he was always telling me that if I wanted to have anything, I would have to work for it.” ~ Klark James

Lake Martin Living 31

Work Hard, Play Hard

Klark seized the moment with confidence, playing some of the best ball of his life. As players were cut one by one, Klark continued to advance through the tryout.

Then, after a grueling sevenday wait, Klark finally received the news he had been praying for – he made the Crimson Tide basketball team. What’s more, he found confidence in the camaraderie of his teammates, and finally, a home at Alabama.

Now a redshirt sophomore, Klark hit the court for the first time in the Tide’s home season opener against North Dakota – a surreal moment as he was called to sub in for teammate Houston Mallette.

“Houston’s my best friend,” Klark said. “Just the hug I got from him really let me know that everybody on the bench was behind me and to just go out there and have fun.”

The Crimson Tide went on to defeat North Dakota 91 to 62.

As the Tide enters the heart of the basketball season, Klark continues to put in the work – as a Crimson Tide player and a follower of faith – hoping his journey from small-town courts to the next level serves as inspiration of what persistence, grit and determination can make possible.

“My dad and I are always talking about just getting better day by day,” Klark said. “Obviously, a lot of people thought I wasn’t good enough, and a lot of people still think I’m not good enough, but that’s OK. I’ve overcome that through Jesus and through God. I think it’s all just a testament that when you really put your mind and hard work into something, anything is possible.”

Above: In July, Klark returned home and hosted a youth basketball camp in New Site; Left: Klark playing for the Generals in 2023; Facing Page: The proud moment when he earned 1,000 career points.

I could get a scholarship by year two, then go somewhere after JUCO. But Dad had other plans, and obviously, God had other plans, too.”

In fall 2023, Klark began his freshman year of college at Alabama, but after only a week in, he began reaching a low point in his life. He was devastated to not be playing the game he loved and was determined to find a way back onto the court. That’s when he saw a tryout flyer on social media for the Alabama basketball team.

He knew the odds were stacked against him. At the time, Alabama was one of the top basketball programs in the nation, coming off a Sweet Sixteen appearance.

Wrestling with self-doubt, Klark debated whether to show up for tryouts, knowing that while the chances were slim, walking away would mean living with the disappointment of never knowing what could have been.

Once again, Klark leaned into his faith and made the bold decision to move forward, forever changing the trajectory of his life.

Tryout morning arrived, and the pressure was intense. But

32 Lake Martin Living

Lake Martin Living 33

Setting SMART Goals

I

moved to Alexander City five years ago. Since that time, I have gained 20 pounds. And I blame Angie Strickland, our registration clerk at the Cancer Center, who bakes a cake for everyone’s birthday – that’s about 25 cakes a year – and augments them with regular batches of cookies. If only she baked kale and wheat germ cakes – but no, they’re carrot, red velvet and chocolate cakes. For my last birthday, she made me a key lime cake. It was so, so good.

Obviously, my weight gain is her fault and has nothing to do with my lack of willpower. And speaking of willpower, I have lost 20 pounds since moving to Alexander City.

Unfortunately, it was the same five pounds that I lost four times – and gained back.

So I’m starting year No. 6 at square one. And this time, I’m going to lose those 20 pounds in a row – and keep them off. How, you say, will someone who is on the “see-food” diet, where I see food and eat it, lose 20 pounds in a year?

I made a New Year’s resolution, but not like I have for the last 40 years or so. This year, I set a SMART goal: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. My goal is specific: lose 20 pounds. It’s measurable: I’ll regularly step on a scale. It’s relevant: I’ll turn 65 this May, and time is running out to get healthy. And it’s time-bound: I have 12 months to achieve my goal.

The moment of truth: Is it achievable?

To make it achievable, I adopted strategies – because these pounds are not going to lose themselves. I can’t wish them away. It’s going to take work, discipline and a plan.

Strategy No. 1: Eat smart

I’ll eat a Mediterranean diet, based on vegetables, fruit and whole-grain carbohydrates. I’ll reduce my meat intake

34 Lake Martin Living

and focus on chicken and fish. I’ll occasionally reward myself with a lean steak.

Sugary drinks have got to go, as does sweet tea. And portion control. It doesn’t help to eat a Mediterranean diet if I have three helpings at each meal. And, of course, desserts – they don’t have to go altogether, but should be enjoyed in moderation. Don’t worry, Angie. You’re not getting fired.

Strategy No. 2: Exercise

I’ll begin by walking 30 minutes a day and work up from there. No need to run marathons or become a power weightlifter. The current recommendation is 150 minutes a week of moderate cardiovascular exercise.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a helpful website, nutrition.gov, wherein I received reinforcement for my plan: “Weight loss can be achieved either by eating fewer calories or by burning more calories with physical activity, preferably both.”

Granted, it’s easier said than done.

Getting granular on a healthy diet, there are a plethora of products and programs that will help you lose weight – for a price. The USDA also offers a program called MyPlate at myplate.gov, and it’s free. Here are some key principles from the USDA: • P rioritize whole foods: Build meals around vegetables, fruits and whole grains, such as oats, brown rice and quinoa, along with lean proteins, including fish, beans, lentils and skinless poultry.

• I ncrease protein and fiber: These nutrients boost fullness, helping you eat fewer calories; this includes beans, lentils, fish, lean meats, nuts, seeds and low-fat dairy.

• C ontrol portion sizes: Be

mindful of fats, such as oils and avocados, nuts and seeds, as they are calorie-dense.

• S tay hydrated: Drink plenty of water, unsweetened tea or sparkling water throughout the day.

• L imit unhealthy additions: Reduce intake of sugary drinks, processed snacks, refined carbs and excessive saturated fats.

MEDICAL NEWS

What does that mean in George Miranda normal-people talk? It means choosing foods wisely. Eat whole grains rather than processed carbs – brown rice instead of white; whole-grain bread instead of white bread; whole fruit instead of fruit juice.

Include plant proteins, such as beans, spinach and peanut butter, as well as lean meats. Increase fish and chicken intake and decrease red meat intake. Drink plenty of water and don’t add sugar to tea or coffee. No sodas.

And it hurts me to say this, but cut back on bacon and processed meats.

Since the key to weight loss is burning more calories than you consume, physical activity is an important piece of the puzzle. The Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention recommend 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise per week. Moderate cardiovascular activity includes brisk walking. More intense exercise includes swimming laps, running or bicycling.

Experts also recommend two days a week of strength training, including lifting weights, isometric exercises, pushups, pullups and sit-ups. These build muscle mass, which burns calories at a higher rate than the average dad bod.

The final key to keeping my New Year’s resolution is commitment. For me, the secret is having a workout partner to keep me accountable. Failing that, I’ll need to keep a journal or find a good exercise and diet app for my phone. The point is to track progress – or lack thereof.

Regular weigh-ins, recording daily calorie counts and steps taken all help keep me on track.

If you have an Apple Watch or similar device, such as a Garmin or Samsung, you’re halfway there. These contraptions come with health apps to keep track of exercise and dieting. But good old-fashioned pen and paper work as well – not quite as well, but good enough.

The key is using the app or the journal on a regular basis.

Ultimately, it’s a lifestyle decision. ~ George Miranda is the director of the UAB Medicine – Russell Medical Cancer Center.

Lake Martin Living 35

Five Easy Steps

to Prepare for Tax Season

T

ax season can feel stressful for many, but fortunately, preparation is mostly about getting organized.

Spending even one hour gathering documents and planning ahead can reduce your workload later and make the filing process a breeze. Additionally, if you owe taxes, you’ll have more time to plan for the expense and avoid potential fines related to late filing.

In my 35 years in the banking industry, I’ve found that a little preparation goes a long way. Consider these five steps to get ready for tax season and streamline the filing process.

STEP 1

Determine if help is needed If you only worked for one employer in the past year and your income is straightforward, you can likely file your tax return independently; however, some life changes can complicate your tax picture.

Ask yourself: In the past year, have you started, sold or closed a company? Gotten married or divorced? Taken on freelancing jobs? Received a sizable inheritance?

If your answer to any of these questions is yes, you may consider hiring a tax professional in advance. The closer it gets to the filing deadline, the less likely a CPA firm will be able to help.

STEP 2

Gather your income records A crucial component of tax season is ensuring you have your information ready and accessible. This means collecting documents that show your income and expenses.

The IRS recommends having the following documents ready, if applicable to you: • W-2 forms from your employer • 1099 forms, including 1099-K, 1099MISC

36 Lake Martin Living

• 1099-INT forms • Documentation of any digital asset transactions • 1095-A forms • Any additional income records

STEP 3

Track potential deductions or credits You also need to report any deductions or tax credits that may reduce the overall amount you owe. As you prepare to file your taxes, collect records of the following expenses: • Childcare costs • Education costs • Adoption costs • Investment interest expenses • Charitable donations • Home mortgage interest • Medical and dental expenses With these receipts, you may consider adding any qualifying deductions to determine whether itemizing or taking the standard deduction makes the most sense.

STEP 4

Double-check your personal information While this step may seem easy, it’s one of the most important ones. If your personal information associated with your taxes is incorrect, you may experience delays or raise questions with the IRS. Confirm the accuracy of your

personal information – Social Security number, date of birth, addresses, past tax returns and bank account information. If applicable, double-check your partner’s and dependent’s information as well.

STEP 5

Be on the lookout for tax scams Tax season is a popular time for cybercriminals to deploy scams and attempt to access your personal information and financial accounts. There are numerous ways personal information can be stolen, including emails, texts and phone calls.

Remember: The IRS will never call or text you demanding immediate payment, threatening law enforcement action or refusing your right to appeal.

MONEY MATTERS

Simplify tax season with Valley Bank

We understand that tax season can be overwhelming. Valley Bank is here to help you prepare and feel more confident heading into filing Lori Harrell season.

When you file early, you can better plan for any taxes owed or receive your refund sooner.

Stay ahead this season by reaching out to your local Valley Bank team. We’re here to help you navigate the process with less stress. ~ Lori Harrell is retail market manager at Valley Bank overseeing the Mill Square branch in Alexander City and the Dadeville branch. She has been in the banking industry for 35 years.

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as specific advice for any individual.

Valley National Bank does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Any views, thoughts and opinions expressed herein are solely that of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Valley National Bank. Please consult your legal, tax and/ or accounting advisors before making any financial decisions.

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! Tallassee Christmas Parade 1

2

3

7

Saturday, December 13, 2025

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Tallassee 1. Brady Parker and Drew Beckham 2. Sidney Barrett and Carleigh and Carolina Norrell 3. Preston and Jane Parker and Kay Davis 4. Abbey and Cody Achord and Omu 5. Emmy Vance and Robert Carwile 6. Vada and Kelsey Bishop 7. Connor Kitt, Hope Kelley and Holley Tindol 8. Ellie, Oliver and Angie Achord 9. Gracie Ward and Aniston Norrol 10. Mikhailo and Ryleigh Daniel 11. Kinley, Kallie, Whitney and Khloe Lee 12. Kyler and JR Nelms 13. Norma Ruff and Allyson Jones 14. Cindy, Hayden, Kate and Caroline Bryant 15. Colin, Taylor, Blake and Ava Copeland 16. Tallassee High School Cheer Team

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14

12

6

4 5 9

10

8 13

15

16 Lake Martin Living 39

OH SNAP! Christmas in the Park 1

3

4

2 6

5 7

Saturday, December 13, 2025

8

9

10

11

Charles E. Bailey Sportplex 1. Adaline Tucker and Sophia Sims 2. Kyler Hill 3. Malachi Coates, Sophie Meek and Chance 4. Stephanie Watts and Arlo Shurum 5. Bryson Goble 6. Gwen Bishop and Rhonda Simmons 7. Caden and Rachael Merrill 8. Megan Blake, Kyler Hill and Grant and Stephanie McCane 9. Tony Estrava 10. Griffin and Mikayla Harris 11. Tera Hyde and Memory, Nevaeh and Amanda Crawford 12. Santa, Zaiden and Emberly Britton and Mrs. Claus 13. Abby Clark and Aiden Finley

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12

13

The Spirit of a Hometown Christmas Parade OH SNAP! 1

2

3

5

4 6

Sunday, December 7, 2025 Dadeville 1. Nykethia Canada, Cookie and Jimmy, Elijah and Major Russell 2. Virgina Spears and Bailey Hatchcock 3. Christine and Hunter Lanier 4. Jakayli Glenn and Jamela and Armani Moss 5. Amanda Hallmark, Sheron Evers and Savannah Hallmark 6. Jannah Ragsdale, Janice Brown and Jeremy Trowbridge

Lake Martin Living 41

OH SNAP! New Year's Eve Eve Eve Get-Down 1

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3 6

4

5

Saturday, December 27, 2025

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Martin's at Lake Martin 1. Leslie Amerson, Scarlett and Phillip Gorham and Holly Keel 2. Hillary Jimenez 3. Eric and Brandi Moore and Tammie and Kyle Long 4. Cindy Massey and Robert Holman 5. Rhonda and Robert Gaskins 6. David and Tammy Hudmon and Vivian and Mike Autry 7. Hope Taunton and Peter Golden 8. Trey Foshee, Jake Rodgers and Paul Blankenship 9. Robert, Lisa, Anna Grace and Abbey Reed, Ana Miller and AJ Reed

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9

Elks Breakfast with Santa OH SNAP! 1

2 5

3

4

6

7

Saturday, December 13, 2025

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Alexander City Elks Lodge 1. Santa and the Yarbrough family 2. Weston and Olivia Clayton 3. Louise Pritchard and Santa 4. Santa and Regina Freeman

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5. Mackenzie Adams, Mia Clayton and Denise Beck 6. Johnny Turner, John Freeman, Keith Askew, Sharon Doyle

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and Dan Neese 7. Santa, Ethan and Nathan Smith and Alicia and Ava Gilley 8. Santa and Sawyer Wright 9. Gunner and Kennedy Kitchens 10. Jaxson Masingill and Santa 11. Avory Luster, Santa and Addyson Luster

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THE LAKE REGION

Calendar

FEATURED EVENT

Elevate with Elegance

Lake Martin Wedding & Event Expo returns to The Mitchell House

S

tep into a world where historic elegance meets modern inspiration at the 7th Annual Lake Martin Wedding & Event Expo.

For those dreaming of a perfect Lake Martin wedding or a flawlessly executed celebration, the search for the right team begins on Sunday, February 22, at The Mitchell House in downtown Dadeville.

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the air will fill with the scent of fresh florals and the buzz of creative energy as nearly 40 of the region’s A Match Made in Dadeville premier vendors gather Above: The 7th annual Lake Martin Wedding & Event Expo returns to The Mitchell House under one roof. Guests on February 22. can wander through the venue’s newly serves a greater purpose as an annual fundraiser for the constructed, enclosed event building to sample gourmet Lake Martin Area United Way. Each ticket purchased catering, meet photographers, find florists and discover supports vital community programs across Coosa and the latest trends in event décor.

Tallapoosa counties.

Whether it’s finding the perfect venue or selecting General admission is $10 per person at the door or a show-stopping wedding cake, this expo provides an online at unitedwaylakemartin.org/wedding-eventintimate, one-on-one opportunity for brides and event expo. Located at 357 W. Columbus Street, Dadeville, planners to connect with the experts that make Lake a golf cart shuttle will run between The Mitchell Martin events truly unforgettable.

House and the parking area at First Baptist Church of Beyond vision boards and champagne toasts, the Dadeville. For more information, contact the United afternoon offers a rare chance to tour the historic Way office at 256-329-3600 or courtney.layfield@ 189-year-old Mitchell House, a local landmark steeped unitedwaylakemartin.org. in Southern charm. Most importantly, this gathering

44 Lake Martin Living

LAKE REGION EVENTS 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

Word of Intention & Yoga Gathering

Wisp & Well Spa at Lake Martin invites the community to a cozy morning filled with intention and connection at Maple Roe in Tallassee.

Starting at 10:30 a.m., attendees will choose a personal word to carry them into 2026, followed by a yoga flow to embody that intention. Spots are limited to 12 to keep the experience personal and deeply grounding.

Tickets are $30 per person. For more details or to reserve a spot, contact wispandwelllife@gmail.com.

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 and its mission to keep the lake clean and pristine. Doors open at 10 a.m., and 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.

For more information or to register, visit chamber.alexcitychamber. com/events or contact jaden.tuck@ alexandercitychamber.com.

January 17

Winter Wildlife Presentation

Join Russell Lands Naturalist Marianne at 10 a.m. in the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads for a discussion on animals that are more

active during the winter months.

Spend time examining multiple artifacts from local wildlife that are more active now at Russell Forest this month than they are any time of year.

This free program is open to all ages.

Contact info@russelllands.com for more details.

January 18

Painting in the Park: Sunrise Views Over Lake Martin

Experience the beauty of Lake Martin with Wind Creek State Park’s painting series. Join the Park Naturalist at the Historic Silo from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for a peaceful morning painting the lake’s sunrise.

Whether you’re a seasoned painter or just looking to try something new, this inspiring outdoor session is perfect for all skill levels. For more details, contact dylan.ogle@dcnr.alabama.gov. Park entrance fees apply for day visitors.

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. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit alexcityarts.org.

February 7

Wind Creek Bass Trail No. 5

OGS Tournaments will host Wind Creek Bass Trail No. 5 at Wind Creek State Park. Registration begins at 4 a.m. in the marina store.

Cost is $120 per boat, $10 for a big fish pot, $10 for a big spot side pot and $10 for an Average Joe Pot (all voluntary). $150 for all. Registration can be made with cash or check the morning of the tournament or online at ogstournaments.org.

February 7

Marty Brown “I’m Country and I Like it That Way”

The Dadeville Performing Arts Center invites the community to a one night only performance by Grand Ole Opry Performer and Kentucky

Music Hall of Famer Marty Brown.

Show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online for $15 or $20 at the door. Children get in free when accompanied by an adult. Visit dadevilleperformingartscenter.com/ tickets-reservations to purchase tickets.

February 7

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater

Get ready for a paws-itively hilarious afternoon at the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center.

Starting at 4 p.m., join Gregory Popovich and his troupe of more than 25 rescue pets – including cats, dogs, parrots and more – for a familyfriendly performance filled with comedy, juggling and heartwarming fun. Visit simpletix.com/e/popovichcomedy-pet-theater-tickets-243668 to purchase tickets.

February 7 & 21 Pup-Along Hike

Bring your furry friend and enjoy the great outdoors at Wind Creek State Park. Starting at noon, attendees will embark on a scenic loop around the Campfire Trail. All dogs must be leashed, and owners are encouraged to bring water and treats for their four-legged friends. Park entrance fees apply for day visitors. For more details, contact the park at 256-329-0845.

February 13 Fur Ball

Get ready for a night of elegance and puppy love at the second annual Fur Ball benefiting Lake Martin Animal Rescue. Held at The Mitchell House at 6 p.m., this special event is the purr-fect way to celebrate Valentine’s season while supporting local furry friends in need. Attendance is reserved for sponsors and includes music by Charlie C. & The Cuzamatics and a steak dinner catered by Scott Blake. Evening attire is recommended.

For more details or to become a sponsor, contact Rhonda Gaskins at 256-749-3644 or Jennie Zinn at 334-380-6250.

Lake Martin Living 45

LAKE REGION EVENTS February 20

Urban Hollow

Join the Dadeville Performing Arts Center as it welcomes Urban Hollow – a musical trio that blends bluegrass, folk, country and rock into a sound that’s all their own. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Contact office@ dadevilleperformingartscenter.com for more details.

February 21

Community Through Song

Get ready to make some music with the Dadeville Community Chorus. Held at the Dadeville Performing Arts Center from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., this workshop will allow guests to learn new pieces and hone their skills with presenter John Flanery, former director of choral activities at New Mexico State University. Contact dmiller5000@hotmail.com before February 1 to reserve a spot.

February 24

Ultimate Elvis!

Experience the magic of the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll. Presented by Alex City Arts, this high-energy evening will take place at The Mill Two Eighty from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Guests can enjoy a barbecue dinner and a cash bar as they sing, dance and relive the golden era of rock ‘n’ roll.

Visit alexcityarts.org or find Alex City Arts on Facebook for more information.

February 28

Russell Forest Run

Join Russell Lands for the 17th annual Russell Forest Run at Russell Crossroads. Through the support of local sponsors and hundreds of yearly runners, this race has raised nearly $152,000 for the Alexander City Schools Education Foundation. The starting line will be near the Town Green, and the finish line will be near The Stables, home of the post-race party and WorldFamous Grits Bar. The 10K will begin at 7:45 a.m., and the 5K will begin at 7:55 a.m. Visit russellforestrun.com for more information or to register.

Season-long Events Naturalist Presentations and Guided Tours

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

46 Lake Martin Living

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 details, contact dylan.ogle@dcnr.alabama.gov.

Acoustic Jam Session

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.

Covered Dish Social

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.

Weekly Birdwatching Adventure

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

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.

Contact Butler at 256-412-6945 for more.

Cocktail Class

Get ready to shake things up with Vinyls Neighborhood Lounge during its cocktail making class. Held on the third Saturday of each month from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., this event teaches participants how to craft delicious cocktails for $35 a person. Each participant receives a recipe sheet to take home.

Pastry & Paint

Join local painter Kay Fincher for a painting event from 9 a.m. to noon on the first Thursday of each month at The Grand Bakery on Broadnax Street in Dadeville. All materials will be provided to complete a canvas picture. No previous painting experience is necessary; however, reservations are required. The class is $30 for each person and is limited to 10 participants. Call Kay Fincher at 256-825-2506 to reserve a spot.

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.

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.

Lake Martin Civitan Club

The Lake Martin Civitan Club meets at noon in the private room at JR’s Grill, 145 Alabama St., Alexander City, on the second Thursday of each month. For more information, call Audrey Moore at 256-786-0465.

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

Trillium

25

9

★ The Amp 18 ★

Ko w

ali

ga

2

Ba

y

23 49

Church of the Living Waters

The Ridge

1

Church in 12 Children’s Harbor The Pines

★

Camp Kiwanis

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

CHAMBERS COUNTY

DEVILLE 16

N Y

20

50

CAMP HILL

280

WAVERLY 50

4 Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors

256-397-1700

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.

Lake Martin Living 51

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

Legacy New Homes...........................................................................................4 7

Aronov Lake Martin, Virginia Pettus..........................................................5

Natural Gas Connection...................................................................................1 9

Auburn Charter......................................................................................................1 8

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

Auburn University Real Estate Foundation....................................... 5 5

Phillip Pouncey Builders.................................................................................5 2

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

Plastic Surgery Associates of Montgomery..........................................3

C&C Wood Products............................................................................................ 6

Prime Home Health............................................................................................. 8

Central State Bank...............................................................................................1 8

Radney Funeral Home....................................................................................... 8

Diamond Golf Cars...............................................................................................1 3

Red Flag Pest Control......................................................................................... 6

Father Nature Landscapes.............................................................................1 8

Russell Medical......................................................................................................5 6

Four Seasons........................................................................................................... 5 3

Slate Barganier.......................................................................................................1 3

George Hardy, D.M.D........................................................................................... 6

Southern Sash.......................................................................................................... 8

Gogue Performing Arts Center..................................................................3 7

Stanley Steemer.................................................................................................... 5 3

Highway 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage...................................... 5 3

Sunrise Docks..........................................................................................................1 9

Hinson Galleries.....................................................................................................1 2

The Cart Source........................................................................................................2

Karen Channell, State Farm.......................................................................... 5 3

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

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

Trinity Custom Homes......................................................................................2 9

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

Will Tampling.......................................................................................................... 3 5

52 Lake Martin Living

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY

KOWALIGA VETERINARY CARE

e

Josh Morgan, DVM Mary S. Battistella, DVM

January Special

e

Puppy & Kitten Vaccines

10% OFF (334) 857-1816

8610 KOWALIGA ROAD ECLECTIC, ALABAMA

Be A Reader!

Lake Martin Living 53

Being Prepared in 2026 O

ver the holidays, John and I were pulling our boat down the interstate. Then, boom! A tire blew out on the boat trailer. We drove about half a football field before there was enough room off the shoulder to safely pull over.

Believe it or not, this is the second time this has happened to us. We had a spare trailer tire, a jack and all the tools to change the tire in the bed of the truck. Within 20 minutes, we were back on the road.

I always joke that watching John handle the first trailer tire blowout was the best thing I had ever seen him do. I didn’t even know we had a spare trailer tire on board, and I certainly had never seen anyone change a tire as fast as my husband. The man is efficient.

You see, we abide by Murphy’s Law: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”

Don’t think I am being a pessimist. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Murphy’s Law is about being prepared for worst-case scenarios.

If you were to look in my car, there are always scissors, duct tape and Advil. I’m not sure what that says about me, but those three items have eliminated a world of problems for me over the years.

For me, 2026 is about being prepared. I often quote the old saying: “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.” That applies to work, health, relationships and good times. We are only as good as the plan.

In the world of real estate, I plan my day as best as I can, but it always changes. A client cancels or a client adds a last-minute appointment. This no longer stresses me out. I keep a bag of clothes and shoes on hand so I can change for whatever new situation requires of me. It’s not glamorous like the TV show Owning Manhattan. I am usually trudging through mud or lake beds in Timberland boots. You are as likely to find me midday in gym or barn clothes as you are a blazer. I stopped letting other people’s changing timelines completely dictate my day, and that was very freeing. I rarely move my early morning workouts or riding lessons. The times I have, someone inevitably cancels on me, so I no longer sacrifice my mental wellness for others.

Mental wellness begins with good sleep, and sleep training is one goal I have for 2026. Sleeping is the new workout, and the tech in sleeping is fastgrowing. I went down the rabbit hole about sleeping, and it is amazing the quantity of sleep sound devices and apps available. I would like to note I do not own

54 Lake Martin Living

any of the following, but I did a little legwork for both of us. Let’s try some new things this year, shall we?

Wearable sleep trackers monitor sleep stages and guide sleep patterns. The popular wearable brands include Apple Watch and the Pillow app, Oura Ring and its app, plus Apollo and Garmin have similar products.

Withings is a pad that goes under the mattress and tracks the data.

Tavo alarm clocks are popular and a good alternative to using your phone as the alarm. They use vibration tones to wake you up.

There is plenty of science behind going to bed and waking up at specific times. Calm, Headspace and SleepCycle are more apps that were listed to assist in that game Lacey Howell plan.

It seems like common sense, but if you are well rested, then you are more likely to have the energy to work out. If you work out, you are burning stress and feeling confident.

Confidence will carry over into your work and personal life. And when those buckets are full, I think most people are happier.

Cheers to better sleep and many happy days in 2026!

Check the air in the tire, but pack the spare, because Murphy’s Law is always in motion.

Culture Shock

~ 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