Lake Martin Living June 2015

Lake Martin Living People, events and culture in the Lake Region

Moving forward on

MAINSTREET Jazz Fest Preview Father & Son Soccer Coaches De-bug How-to June 2015 www.lakemartinmagazine.com Lake Martin Living 1

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From the Editor

H

old onto your hats! Summer in the South is jam packed with things to do, starting right now.

We worked hard to make sure you could pick up this issue of Lake Martin Living on Jazz Fest weekend, so you can share it with people you know and friends you meet at the silver anniversary celebration concerts in Strand Park and at the Lake Martin Amphitheater. And there’s a lot worth sharing in this issue, from Jazz Fest in a revitalized downtown Alexander City to noodling with New Site’s John McKelvey and preparing for the Fourth of July with Dadeville Daughter of the American Revolution, Sandra Wilson.

If you haven’t yet driven past the intersection of Calhoun and Bibb streets in Alexander City, flip to page 44 to prepare yourself for the special treat. Though painter Charles Forbus’ work can be seen throughout the county, his latest work of art on the City Pawn building will knock your socks off. We visited with Forbus to find out how he did the work.

And while you’re downtown, take a look around at the renewal efforts underway through MainStreet, the merchants’ organization that is spearheading the area’s return as a vibrant city center. You’ll find details and future plans in the special Business Matters section on page 10.

Even if you don’t fish, you won’t be able to resist Mitch Sneed’s entertaining first person account of a catfish noodling experiment gone very right, even if a bit crazy. Read his story on page 38.

As this is the Lake Martin Living issue published just prior to the Fourth of July (and I happen to be an Independence Day baby), we’ve included, on page 22, a patriotic story to honor those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy. Cara Clark spent some time with our own Sandra Wilson of Dadeville, a certified genealogy specialist and author who shed new light on our country’s – and her own – heritage.

Take care, though, before you hit the parks, streets and catfish holes, to protect yourself from insect-born diseases like Lyme disease, tularemia and West Nile virus. Jennifer Brady checks out some of the bug repellent ‘Do’s and ‘Don’ts’ for you on page 51.

We’re looking forward to spending the summer with you in Lake Martin Living, but we also want to hear what you have to say. Visit our Facebook Page and let us know your stories or send us a photo on Instagram at TPI Magazines, and let’s have a great summer together!

Betsy Iler, Managing Editor 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. Please 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. Advertising inquiries may be made by calling 256-234-4281. A limited number of free copies are available at local businesses and subscriptions are $25 annually.

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Lake Martin Living Editor & Publisher Kenneth Boone Managing Editor Betsy Iler Assistant Magazine Editor Cara D. Clark Contributors Dave Jennings Luke Robinson Fletcher Scott Susan Foy Fred Muenzmay Karen Jennings & Kay Thomas Cliff Williams Mitch Sneed Robert Hudson David Granger Jennifer Brady Jim Denney Kevin Lanier Photography Magazine Distribution Manager David Kendrick Creative Services Audra Spears Darlene Johnson Hallie Holloway Marketing/Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Missy Fonte Scott Hardy Heather Glenn Kim Morse Lake Martin Living P.O. Box 999 Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-4281 www.lakemartinmagazine.com Reader Advisory Board W.L. “Buddy” King Fred Dobbs Ann Goree Donna Burkett Reggie Dean If you have any questions or comments about Lake Martin Living please feel free to contact members of our Reader Advisory Board.

Lake Martin Living 5

ON THE COVER Alexander City native Charles Forbus last month painted the image of musicians Clarence Clemons and Stevie Ray Vaughn on the side of a downtown building.

Photo by Cliff Williams

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IN EVERY ISSUE 9. AROUND THE AREA 10. BUSINESS MATTERS New Moves on Main Street 24. HAPPY GARDEN 28. OUTDOOR LIFE 32. FROM THE TEE 54. FAB FINDS 57. MEDICAL NEWS 58. MONEY MATTERS 59. OH SNAP! 64. LAKE REGION EVENTS 74. THE LAST WORD

FEATURES 22. SANDRA SCOTT WILSON D adeville DAR honors veterans 34. JAZZ FEST 2015 S ilver anniversary stars gold 38. MUDCAT MADNESS Nothing is more crazy 44. MUSICAL MURALS AND MORE C harles Forbus' sign art 48. FATHER AND SON T eel coaches in father's footsteps 5O. BEAT THE BUGS R epellent tips for a safe summer

38

New Site's John McKelvey with a catfish he noodled at Lake Weiss.

Photo by Mitch Sneed

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AROUND THE AREA

CACC Hosts Annual STEM Camp

The Betty Carol Graham Center for Technology played host to younger students and instructors this month as area fifth and sixth graders took part in the CACC STEM Camp.

“We have been hosting the STEM Camp since 2007,” retired CACC physics professor Nick Nicholson said.

“We have 23 students and four coaches working with programming robots.”

They have been working with the same LEGO robots for a few years now and have won several competitions, most recently in New Orleans.

Campers were scurrying about as they tried to fine tune the programming of their robots for a game of “Go Get the Cheese,” where students were trying to get their robots (mouse) to follow a course and pick up a LEGO block (cheese) and bring it back to the start.

“You need to adjust the rotation of this wheel for that turn,” student coach Alli Broome told Carlee Fuller. “That way it will make it line up better to pick up the cheese.”

Broome was one of the coaches that just a few weeks ago travelled to New Orleans and placed first in the competition.

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics ~Cliff Williams Students fine tune robots for an exercise in STEM Camp.

Foy named to college board Gov. Robert Bentley last month asked Alexander City’s Susan Foy to serve a two-year term on the board of a new community college system.

Susan Foy Foy served as president and CEO of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation, Inc., for nine years before taking a position as director of marketing at Russell Medical Center (RMC).

“I am honored and excited to represent Congressional District 3 on this new governing board,” Foy said. “The two-year colleges and technical schools play an important role in workforce preparedness and contribute to the vitality of the communities fortunate to have a campus in their city.” ~ Mitch Sneed

Dadeville High School wins third in video contest Dadeville High School was among the winners announced last month in the Alabama Association of School Boards’ fourth annual “How We Achieve Excellence in Our School” video contest, winning $500.

Principal Chris Hand said Clayton Smith, a graduating senior, was largely Clayton Smith responsible for the video.

“Clayton is one of our best students,” Hand said. “He’s very smart. Unreal smart. He’ll be going to college at Columbia College in Chicago.”

Smith said the film is 60 seconds long, and its main objective was to capture the feeling of a commercial, but also give a full illustration of student life.

“I really wanted to try and get in as much of the school as I could, not just academics, but also sports and extracurricular,” Smith said.

The student-produced videos will be posted on www.aptv. org, and on www.AlabamaSchoolBoards.org. ~ Cliff Williams Lake Martin Living 9

New Moves on Main Street

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BUSINESS MATTERS PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & AUDRA SPEARS

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A

lexander City is on a downtown revitalization track. On every block, there are building renovations underway, a new shop opening or more services offered at established stores. And according to MainStreet Alexander City Director Richard Wagoner, more upgrades are on the way.

“The trend, not just here but all over the country, had been to move businesses out to the highway areas, to shopping centers and strip malls and away from downtown,” Wagoner said. “Shopping centers generally have a limited life span, but downtowns are the heart of a city. Downtowns are forever.”

Economic changes over the last five decades have affected downtown areas in all 50 states, but retailers, restaurateurs and business owners in Alexander City circled their wagons to reinvent and revitalize the role of the city’s center.

Change started slowly with small projects several years ago, but the pace has picked up in recent years with new landscaping, expanding and new businesses, storefront renovations, the recent designation of an arts and entertainment district and an innovative start-up business competition.

Wagoner said the “facelift” began with landscaping at the judicial building and the beds in front of the Bud Porch Center. City crews removed old and overgrown shrubbery, and MainStreet, an association of downtown business owners, government officials and interested citizens, paid for a new landscape design plan and plantings.

“We were fortunate to have the money for a project of that size,” Wagoner said.

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Business owners joined the effort, adding decorative finishes to planter boxes and caring for the landscaping in front of their stores.

Through the Adelia M. Russell Foundation, MainStreet was able to provide up to $5,000 in matching funds grants for storefront renovations to downtown businesses. The monies helped owners remove deteriorating facades, repaint store exteriors and replace awnings. Wagoner said more than $58,000 has been awarded in grant funds so far, with a return on improvements made valued at some $251,000.

Most of the work underway preserves historical features, such as the vintage signage on the Carlisle’s storefront, and architectural elements, like soldiered brick trims and corbels specific to the construction era of the buildings.

One of the most noticeable renovations now in process, the Masonic Building, last month unveiled a new front that retains the hundred-year-old character of the structure that Mr. Ben Russell built as a meeting place for the Masons. Owner of the building today, Tim Evans said he’s not yet determined the finishes for the ground floor, but the top level will be converted into upscale downtown apartments.

Well-played Strategies

Previous pages: Volunteers set an elegant table for last month's Dinner Under the Stars event on Calhoun Street; Below: Customers at Little Black Dress draw cards in a poker walk through the new arts and entertainment district; Opposite: The 100-year-old Masonic Building last month unveiled a renovated exterior.

Lake Martin Living 13

On Broad Street, Alexander City native Dr. Brooks Lamberth has plans for the building that once housed a shoe store and part of Frohsin’s Department Store. Lamberth has owned the building at the end of the street for more than six years and has been making improvements a little at a time.

After removing the façade, he had the building’s original brick exterior repointed and replaced the roof. The new front includes half round vintage-styled doors and new windows, and he expects to turn his attention to interior renovations soon, including the installation of flooring fashioned with wood reclaimed from the old mill.

“I look down the street now, and I think it looks prettier than it has in 40 years,” Lamberth said.

And downtown businesses are growing.

Cloud Nine in recent years moved from its original location at 49 Main to a larger vacant storefront across the street to expand its inventory of clothing, jewelry, decorative items and gifts.

Nathan & Claire, a children’s boutique owned

by Stephanie Smith, lost little time in filling the former Cloud Nine space.

Smith, who also owns the Little Black Dress boutique on Alabama Street, said she opened the children’s store at the request of customers.

This summer, Cornelius Benson of Live to Tumble Academy plans to open the Black C Red Dot boutique on Main Street as well. And Carlisle’s reopened just a few months ago after a complete interior renovation that retained the 100-year-old soda fountain.

The new look of Alexander City’s downtown is indicative of a new approach to downtown business, as the city council earlier this year designated an arts and entertainment district downtown with an open-container alcohol policy.

Since its inception, retailers in the district have sponsored a variety of events to bring people downtown, including poker runs and an elegant dinner under the stars on Calhoun Street.

MainStreet Alexander City this spring launched the Missing Piece Competition, an effort to bring new business to the downtown area. The contest, now in process, is designed to cultivate the next generation of downtown entrepreneurs by 14 Lake Martin Living

offering the winner a start-up package valued at about $100,000.

“I was Googling things like how to save downtowns and how to bring businesses to downtown areas, and I came across something like this being done in California,” said Stephanie Smith, who brought the idea to the MainStreet association. “I read it with amazement, as they were on their third year or so. I presented it to our group, and we worked with it and tweaked it to suit our area.”

Four semi-finalists in the contest were named this month and include two restaurant ideas, a furniture and gifts store that would feature upcycled products and a non-profit community theatre organization.

Dr. Doug Roberts, a chiropractor on Church Street, and his wife, Elizabeth, proposed Upcycle, a storefront concept that would repurpose old items into handmade furniture and gifts.

Shelly McNeal and Ian Johnston submitted a proposal for a delicatessen that would source ingredients from local farmers and bakers and would serve craft beers on the dinner menu. JM Deli would hope to expand services to include a food truck as well.

A coffee shop concept proposed by Mary Elizabeth Vardaman would roast coffee beans for specialty coffees, cappuccinos and espresso and also would serve lunch.

Alexander City Theatre II, a non-profit community theatre proposed Flower Power MainStreet Alexander

by Betsy Iler and Karen Kison, City replaced would produce several plays shrubbery and each year, featuring community planters throughout downtown to update members as actors, directors and beautify the area. and stage crew, supported by a volunteer board of directors.

The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce is on board with the changes, supporting downtown revitalization efforts through the Our Future Is Now campaign, which raised $1.2 million to fund a fiveyear growth plan that includes 15 new businesses over

New Look for New Stores

Richard Wagoner (right) has implemented many of MainStreet's revitalization efforts, such as restoring the historic facades on downtown shops.

the course of the plan. Chamber President and CEO Ann Rye said the chamber will offer the winner of the Missing Piece Competition a one-year chamber membership, so the start-up business could take advantage of chamber services for free during its first year.

In-kind services offered by other local merchants and professionals also will be part of the value prize package for the contest winner.

Smith said the semi-finalists will be asked to refine their business plans this month, and the Economic Restructuring Committee will select finalists for whom the public will be invited to vote next month. The committee expects to announce a winner in the competition July 24.

Smith acknowledged that the Missing Piece contest is part of the bigger puzzle in an effort to draw people and commerce to the city’s downtown. Every retailer,

restaurateur, building owner, professional and customer plays a part in making the downtown whole, she said.

Wagoner said he remembers Alexander City as a thriving town center in years past, but it’s the efforts now underway that will keep the area vital as an economic and community asset.

“Merchants old and new have reinvented themselves for the changing market niche they need to become to continue to be successful,” Wagoner said. “The past was great and wonderful, but more importantly, downtown is still here today because of people who continue to work tirelessly for it to survive, not just their particular business but the entire downtown.

“People use the term resilient to describe ‘Alex Citians.’

It is a fitting term because of the obstacles that have had to be overcome for this downtown to survive, but it’s also passion, love and pride of community, building something they can attach their name to, pride in accomplishing that – and sometimes, just plain stubbornness.”

Lake Martin Living 15

Fruit and Fare Fresh from the Farm

Clockwise from Left: Pickled squash, preserves, jams and jellies are popular items at the MainStreet Farmers Market; Blackberries make a sweet dessert in cobblers and over ice cream; Fresh squash is available in season; Vendors offer a variety of tomatoes; The plaza market is a busy place on Saturday mornings through September.

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MainStreet Market celebrates 11 years

M

ainStreet Farmers Market kicks off the season June 13 at Broad Street Plaza in downtown Alexander City with the best picks of the garden, including two new-to-themarket growers, said market coordinator Richard Wagoner.

“Our customer base is growing each year, and we need to bring in new growers to fill that need,” Wagoner said. “We’re happy to welcome Lulu’s Lather Soaps and Holmestead Farm this year.”

Libby Engstrom of Alexander City will join this year’s market with handmade soaps. She also sells beeswax lip balm and essential oil bath fizzies, as well.

“My wife has stopped buying soap from anywhere else. We love these soaps that Libby makes. They’re wonderful,” Wagoner said.

Bobby Holmes of Holmestead Farm in Talladega will bring a variety of berries, fruits and vegetables, including blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, plums, apples, pears, Japanese persimmons and grapes, in addition to tomatoes, peas, beans, squash, okra and more in season. He also will bring jams and jellies.

Holmes, who has businesses in Sylacauga, cultivates 15 acres and has farmed produce for market for four years.

Returning to the MainStreet market this year will be Bruce Whitehill of Heritage Farms, which almost always sells out of pork chops, bacon, sausage and ribs.

“This is not what you typically think of for a farm that raises pigs,” Wagoner said. “It’s a pristine pasture, and this is the best pork you’ve

ever tasted.”

Quality, he noted, is an important criteria in accepting vendors for MainStreet Farmers Market.

“This year starts our 11th year, and we will continue to improve the market and bring quality growers who can offer a variety of products and produce to shoppers. There are quite a few folks who do their shopping at MainStreet every week and spend $100 or more with our vendors,” he said. “It’s as fresh as you can get.”

The vendor list this year includes several market veterans, along with the new growers. The Muenzmays will return this year with fresh herbs, blueberries, delicious fried pies and more; Linda Wycoff also will be at the market with her handmade beeswax byproducts, made from her own bees.

William and Virginia Futral, who have sold honey and vegetables at the market since its start, also hope to be back this year.

“The farmers market is one of the best things that has happened to Alexander City,” Virginia said.

When Margaret Courtney returns to the market June 13, she expects to bring peaches, squash, beans and cucumbers.

“We may have some tomatoes. We are picking a few now,” she added.

“Whatever we have at the market on any given Saturday, you can be sure it will good quality and competitively priced,” Wagoner said.

The market opens from 7 to 11:30 a.m. at Broad Street Plaza in front of Jake’s Restaurant on Broad. Opening day festivities will include a local artist’s demonstration and music by Jimbo Spencer.

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Ballroom Dancing Whirl and twirl Wednesdays in downtown Alexander City

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hen you’re looking for something to do in town on a Wednesday night, stop in at Emporium Wine in downtown Alexander City, even if you don’t drink, because that’s where the music starts shortly after 7 p.m.

Since April, Gallery 128 at Emporium Wine has hosted Wednesday night ballroom dancing lessons with professional instructor Susan (Crispin) McCrispin.

“We try to change up the dance every month. So far, we’ve learned the swing and the fox trot. This month, we’re learning the cha cha,” McCrispin said.

A graduate of Benjamin Russell High School, McCrispin attended Auburn University and moved to Huntsville after college. Three years later, she learned to dance, and she eventually became an instructor at Rocket City Dance Club there.

“It’s a great skill to have, and there are many health benefits, as well as the social aspects,” McCrispin said. “Very often, people take dancing lessons when they are getting married, or their children are getting married, and they want to be able to dance at the reception.”

Cha! Cha! Cha! McCrispin also taught Opposite: Ted Bradshaw practices turning with dancing at marriage instructor Susan McCrispin; communication classes held at Above: Catherine and Wendell Scroggins, Suzzan her church in Huntsville, she Nelson and Ted Bradshaw said. and Susan McCrispin and “There’s so much Billy Paul Austin dance communicating that happens in the gallery at 128 through dancing, not just talking Calhoun Street.

but moving together to the same rhythm,” she noted. “It’s a great communication skill for married couples.

“When you start dancing, you realize there is a lot of etiquette in it, and I have taught that in schools through dancing at the father/daughter and mother/son dances,” McCrispin said. “It’s a way to get everyone away from the walls and onto the dance floor, sort of to warm it up. I would teach boys the proper way to ask their mothers to dance and those kinds of social manners.”

The activity also has been shown to slow or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, a neurological disorder that most frequently affects the aging, McCrispin said.

The New England Journal of Medicine has published recent studies that show dancing reduces the risk of dementia – most notably, ballroom dancing. Studies have shown the physical exercise of dancing increases blood flow to the brain, reduces stress and helps to alleviate depression. In addition, dancing stimulates the brain through memorizing steps and working with a partner.

“It helps to keep those channels in the brain open and working,” McCrispin said.

It also exercises muscles that are not used in other forms of exercise and offers the support of a partner in adhering to an exercise routine, said Cara Tidwell at Russell Medical Center’s Total Fitness.

“It’s always beneficial to explore various fitness outlets, and dancing can be one of those. It reaches several components of fitness, including cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, flexibility and coordination,” Tidwell explained.

Dancing is $7 per person. Refreshments are priced separately.

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as one of your ancestors a rabble-rouser who tipped crates of tea into Boston Harbor? The Fourth of July is a good time to ask that question, and for genealogist Sandra Scott Wilson of Alexander City, the long ago bid for independence by early American colonists is personal. A member of the Tohopeka Chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), a national historical society, Wilson traces her roots to those who settled in America and fought for freedom from the British crown in the 18th century.

Wilson explained, “The main goal I have as a DAR member is to honor my ancestors by promoting their names and the service they rendered. These ancestors have given me the opportunity to enjoy the life I have as an American, and I would not have missed this adventure for anything.”

Wilson recently was recognized for her volunteer work and dedication to the memories of those colonial founders at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., where she was presented a sash and pin as regent of the Alabama Society of DAR Colonists. Wilson also serves as president of the Alabama state Society of the United States Daughters of 1812 and Alabama state governor of the Daughters of Indian Wars.

She said knowing the details of her lineage has been rewarding in many ways.

“For me, celebrating the Fourth of July is a celebration for our ancestors since they made it possible for all of us to live in this great country,” Wilson said.

Wilson, now a published author, said she has always been fascinated with learning about her ancestors. As a child, she heard stories from her father about his Native American heritage. As a teen, she began to ask questions, writing down the details and later researching his ancestry.

“Had my daddy lived longer, he would have learned some of his maternal ancestors had been with Col. Benjamin Hawkins at Fort Hawkins, Georgia,” Wilson said.

Hawkins was a statesman, delegate to the Continental Congress, a senator from North Carolina and was appointed general superintendent for Indian Affairs from 1796 to 1816.

He also was the principal Indian agent to the Creek Indians.

Another of her father’s ancestors was Jonathan Shockley, son of colonists that arrived from England in 1671.

He served as a soldier in the Continental line in Maryland, she said.

Wilson has other Revolutionary War relatives on her father’s side, including patriot Robert S. Hammock, grandson of an early settler in Virginia, circa 1600s.

Revolutionary soldiers from her mother’s lineage include Virginian Daniel O’Rear, who served in Col. Patrick Henry’s Virginia regiment.

“Following the Revolutionary War, Jonathan migrated to Georgia,” Wilson said. “This family left many documents that 22 Lake Martin Living

were useful in proving the generations and also in becoming a member in several colonial societies.”

Descendants of this line continue to live in Tallapoosa County today, she noted.

Wilson also traced her lineage to Revolutionary War soldier Alexander Harrelson. According to Wilson, after locating documents to prove that Mary Malone Harrelson, who was buried in the old Langley Cemetery in Tallapoosa County, was the wife of Alexander Harrelson, the DAR gave approval for the Tohopeka Chapter to honor the grave with a DAR marker. Mary Malone Harrelson was born in 1762 and died in 1867 at 105 years old.

“Alexander Harrelson’s descendants are numerous in the county,” Wilson said. “Listed in the DAR roster of the Tohopeka Chapter are five members descended from Alexander and Mary Harrelson.”

Wilson said she’s always felt driven to find these connections to the past, though it hasn’t always been easy.

Her research took her from an exploration of old cemeteries to combing through volumes of probate records and interviewing the elders in her family.

“My maternal and paternal ancestors settled in Tallapoosa County shortly after 1832,” she said. “Since many of them were here by 1840, I knew there was a wealth of information that could be gathered from probate records at the courthouse in Dadeville. Around 1976, my presence of ‘camping out with the old volumes of records’ in the courthouse became increasingly routine. I was on a mission to find the names of my ancestors and where they came from.

“Today, I find myself researching my research, and that is a strange feeling. After exhausting the local records for information, I continued to pursue records stored in other facilities.”

When she realized some researchers had not been thorough in documentation, Wilson was determined to learn the methodology of genealogy, so her work would be comparable to other ancestral studies with provable ties.

Following coursework through Brigham Young University, Wilson attended the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University, completing the advanced methodology classes and testing to earn certification as a genealogical records specialist.

“Over the years, I have had the pleasure of having much of my work put into print,” she said. “Located in the DAR Library in Washington, D.C., are several volumes not available in the community.”

Wilson said, along with her husband, she places flags on the graves of known war veterans on the Fourth of July to honor those who helped to keep our country ‘… one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’

Sandra Scott Wilson

STORY BY CARA CLARK PHOTO BY KEVIN LANIER PHOTOGRAPHY

Lake Martin Living 23

how to:

Cook with Carrots, Onions & Celery

I

Happy Garden

include additional herbs or aromatics. was picking up a few items on my “Honey Celery is a great provider of natural salt – 50 Do” list at the grocery store, and as I milligrams of sodium in a large stalk – and was getting ready to leave the sidewalk contains at least a dozen antioxidants. and quickstep through the rain, a couple of Carrots provide a huge amount of natural gardeners hailed me from the side. sugar – one half cup of sliced, cooked carrots “You need to tell me how to use the herbs in contains roughly 3.4 grams of sugar – plus my garden,” one of the women said.

Vitamin A and more.

Her friend chimed in with “I have been Onions improve the working of Vitamin C for growing herbs for years but never think about immunity, assist in regulating blood sugar and herbs when I am putting a meal together.” reduce inflammation. Raw onions encourage Just then, the thunder made an aggressive production of good cholesterol (HDL). noise, and we moved inside the store to Fred Muenzmay Like all good foods, the method of continue the conversation. We talked about the preparation and cooking play a part that is as food groups that each family liked or didn’t like important as the individual ingredients. Please (meat, poultry, fish and vegetables). try this time-proven method of cooking with herbs.

We then talked about vegetables that they purchased on Mirepoix a regular basis when planning a menu for the week.

Make a sauce using one cup each of carrots, onions and The rain quit, and I made a promise to the ladies that celery, finely chopped, and softened butter or olive oil. we would write of the subject in this month’s article and The use of butter allows you to cook a “batch” in expose a few ways to use culinary herbs. advance, as the butter can be frozen. You can put the Julie Hudson, Lake Martin Community Hospital mirepoix in small portion containers for cooking at a later dietician, writes a great article in Lake magazine every date. This works great when you have a surprise guest and month, and last month’s article hit on a few items that should be on everyone’s “healthy living” shopping list. Julie no planned meal.

Select the herbs or spices you want to use and add them talked about alliums – garlic, onions, shallots, scallions, only to the amount of sauce you plan to use that day, not chives and leeks. the whole batch.

We will talk about one of the healthy alliums, onions, Using a sauté pan, add the meat, fish, shrimp, game or and two other vegetables, celery and carrots. leftovers, remembering that poultry must reach 180 degrees Onions, carrots and celery, when combined, are known Fahrenheit before it should be served. Cook over medium as the holy trinity of French stocks. heat with the lid off. After it has caramelized, put the lid on “Mirepoix” cuisine is a mixture of chopped celery, the pan and take the pan to the table, as part of the meal is onions and carrots. There are many variations, which may the aroma that fills the room when you lift the pan lid. include just one of these ingredients. They might also

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+

Serve portions of the meat and place some sauce on each portion.

Enjoy this healthy way to cook.

This wonderful sauce transports your herbs and flavors to whatever you are cooking. We use the term “to lace” the mirepoix onto the desired portions to which you want to add this great new flavor.

Mirepoix has as many variations as you can think up. The key is to use the basic ingredients and cook down but do not caramelize what you want to freeze for later. Only caramelize what you will use for your meal that night.

You also can add herbs to seafood in batters prepared with flour, egg or both and fry the dish in butter or sauté; use it in a marinade four hours before cooking; in a dip served cold on the side; rolled into the center of the fish like a stuffing and baked; or wrap fish in lemon grass herb and place in tight foil with butter.

Grilling with herbs is another cooking method with delicious results, especially in the summer season when gas grills are being used as much as the kitchen stove.

If you like the smoke flavor in your meats, poultry or fish, try placing sprigs of rosemary, sage, fennel or dried basil pods (flowers) on the charcoal or on open foil if you use a gas grill; skewer some herbs between your vegetables and meat and mushrooms; slip a sprig of marjoram in when you wrap corn with foil; tie a sprig of mint, marigold or rosemary together to make a brush for your marinade while basting; grill your fish in foil with a twist of lemon, butter and a sprig of dill; or add fresh basil, thyme and mint to salads.

Eat well; live well; keep well.

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~ Fred Muenzmay of Eagles Roost Herb Farms is a Master Gardener and has been in the business of growing organic herbs, vegetables and blueberries for regional and local farmers markets for 16 years. Contact him at fmuenzmay@earthlink.net.

Lake Martin Living 25

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26 Lake Martin Living

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Lake Martin Living 27

No empty-nesters here

O

Outdoor Life

bringing up the sides to form a cup. Often, leaves ne of the biggest recreational past times are placed around the cup to keep the structure the world over is birdwatching. I was together. caught up in this activity decades ago.

Some nests are lined with soft feathers or moss.

In fact, I still have my first Peterson Guide to Birds Snake sheds and even bits of paper are used if the of Eastern America. It is well worn after traveling bird is nesting close to human habitation. thousands of miles in my vehicle and being carried This behavior is completely innate, as birds don’t along many trails. I also possess an autographed teach nest building to their young. With all our copy by author Roger Tory Peterson himself. knowledge and capability, we would be hard pressed Birds exhibit many fascinating behaviors. One of to complete such an intricate task. these is nest building.

Birds build many types of nests, including cavities When I poked around vines and shrubbery as (woodpeckers and owls), platforms (eagles, ospreys), a youngster, I often was distracted by birds that I simple scrapes in gravel or leaves (killdeer, whipflushed off nests while catching insects or retrieving poor-wills) and cup-shaped nests (most song birds, balls from under bushes. Of course, this usually Fletcher Scott called passerines). Swallows build mud nests under required further investigation. bridges and along the sides of cliffs, and many birds, I would carefully reach up and stick my fingers such as quail and turkeys, are ground nesters. Some birds do not into the nest. Usually, I felt several warm eggs or a soft mass build nests at all, preferring to parasitize the nests of others. of thriving chicks. Often, the parent stood nearby, nervously The brown-headed cowbird, a stocky blackbird, is native scolding me. to North America and found in our area. Formerly relegated Once, a mockingbird repeatedly dove at me as I moved away to the open Midwest plains, cowbirds have steadily increased from her nest. These birds are very territorial and will physically their eastern population following human creation of pastures intervene when their boundaries are violated. It’s not unusual to see a mockingbird chastise a nearby cat; however, most songbird and yards. This fragmentation of habitat has led to the cowbird being introduced to many host species that it ordinarily wouldn’t nests have very little protection other than secrecy and heavy encounter. cover.

These birds will shadow songbirds, following them to discover Years later, I discovered new nests in very different places. their nests. Once located, the female cowbird darts down to an With flashlight in hand, I once slowly crawled into the dark unoccupied nest, deposits an egg and flies away, never to return. opening of an old mine. After I had gone in about 20 feet, I The host bird does not usually recognize the larger egg but noticed a rank, musky odor. I crawled in a few more feet when instead incubates it as her own. Cowbird eggs hatch in 10 to 13 my light beam focused on something moving just ahead of me. days, much earlier than the host’s eggs. Often, the young cowbird At the same time, I heard a low hissing sound coming from will push out the remaining eggs and chicks, leaving only itself to the moving subjects, and I realized that I was looking at several be fed by the host bird. large, down-covered “buzzards.”

Kirtland’s warblers and Black-headed vireos are songbirds What I had smelled and crawled through was the offal from that have been endangered due to the cowbirds’ parasitic these birds. behavior.

“Where is the momma?” I thought.

In most species, the female does all the nest building. This I couldn’t turn around, so I had to crawl out in reverse. I usually requires a lot of time and energy. Birds can spend all remember bumping my head along the top of the crawl space, of their daylight hours for several days constructing nests. The but getting out was a top priority, regardless of injury. When I nesting habits of birds have evolved over thousands of years, emerged, I smelled like the vultures themselves! That’s when I with each species building a slightly different nest. Nest locations learned that not all birds nest in trees. are usually secretive to avoid predators. The best way to discover Birds build a variety of nests, and a few build no nest at all. a nesting bird is simply to observe the bird going back and forth Those building nests using twigs and grasses create a marvelous structure. Beginning with some twigs as a foundation, the female to the same place with Building in a Box nesting material or food for will select a site well hidden from predators. She will intertwine A female bluebird builds her chicks. the foundation twigs to form an open bowl-like platform. Next, nest in a man-made box set Birds usually have two she will weave tiny pieces of grass, weeds and stems together, about 4 feet off the ground.

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Lake Martin Living 29

laying habits, either determinate or indeterminate. Those birds that are determinate lay whatever number of eggs makes a complete clutch for that species. This could be only one egg, as in the case of most pelagic seabirds (frigates and gannets) and flamingos. Eagles and ospreys lay one to three eggs in most clutches. Songbirds lay clutches from three to six eggs.

Indeterminate species keep laying eggs, regardless of predation or loss of eggs, until a complete clutch is made. Research has shown that if an egg is removed Nesting Nuances Top: These eggs belong before the clutch is complete, the to a Chipping sparrow, bird will continue to lay eggs. In whose nest is built in a one experiment, a northern flicker muscadine vine; Above: One of the eggs in this laid 71 eggs in 73 days. Through mockingbird nest did selective breeding, indeterminate not hatch. behavior has been encouraged in most domestic chickens.

The clutch sizes of some bird species are determined by the population of their prey. The great grey owl and snowy owl lay smaller clutch sizes when the populations of voles and lemmings are low. When prey populations are higher, the owls lay larger numbers of eggs. The evolution of this close relationship between owls and voles is just one example of population 30 Lake Martin Living

dynamics found in predators and their prey.

Nests are occupied by birds for various lengths of time, depending on whether they are largely precocial or altricial.

Altricial birds, like many songbirds, hatch featherless and are totally dependent on their parents for food and protection.

They innately open their mouths for the parent to drop in insects or worms. These broods usually remain in the nest for approximately two weeks before they are old enough to fledge. Even then, they can be seen begging for food, as the nearby adults provision them.

With precocial birds, parental care is largely limited to incubating eggs. These birds hatch covered in down or feathers and leave the nest within a day or two. In the case of turkeys and ducks, the parent usually leads the young to places where food can be easily obtained. This may include fields full of insects or ponds with aquatic weeds and plants.

The next time you are enjoying the great outdoors and notice the repetitive passing of a particular bird, let your curiosity distract you and go see if you can find the nest. When you find it, be respectful and leave it intact, along with its contents, but this could be an interesting way to take your birdwatching to the next level.

Lake Martin Living 31

L

Good Friends and Golf

ife is strange. Pay attention; you never know what is around the next turn.

You might schedule a vacation with the intention of having the time of your life. On the way to your destination, you have a flat tire. Then, the hotel room’s bed is uncomfortable; you get food poisoning from the lobster special; and you spend the rest of the trip laying in an uncomfortable bed watching rotten daytime television. The trip is a bust.

Another day in your life, you head to the golf course with not much more of a plan than just to hit a few balls. A fellow you’ve never met before is hitting some balls next to you. You start some small talk and come to realize that you have a number of mutual friends, and in fact, this fellow is the older brother to a high school classmate of yours.

Dave Jennings He invites you to play nine holes, and in those short two hours, you schedule a round of golf over the next weekend.

Before long, this fellow golfer becomes one of your very favorite golfing buddies and life-long best friends.

I’ve certainly taken those bust vacations, and I chalked it up to a week of, “Oh well, stuff happens.” However, the second scenario is a true experience, as well. Another reason I love and appreciate the game of golf so much.

The golf course was Rolling Hills Country Club in Montgomery, Alabama. The year was around 1978. The fellow I met on the driving range and played golf with was Keith Purdy.

Over the years, Keith and I played hundreds of rounds of golf together. We were paired together as partners and opponents. We traveled to various golf tournaments around the state of Alabama together and never did we share a cross word. Keith became a great friend of mine.

When I moved to the Atlanta, Georgia, area in the 1980s, we lost touch, as life’s changes and tangents will have us all do. When I came to Alexander City in 2001, I had an added bonus when I learned that Keith was a member at Willow Point Country Club. It didn’t take us long to catch up on our years of absence and rekindle our friendship.

A big bonus for Keith was that he had found and

From the Tee

32 Lake Martin Living

married a wonderful woman named Ann. She had become his rock and best friend.

A couple years ago, Keith left Willow Point, as he moved to Chelsea and didn’t have the chance to get down to our area enough.

Last year, I learned that Keith had been diagnosed with lung cancer. He had spent his entire life taking good care of himself and looked 10-15 years younger than he actually was. When I received this rotten news, I phoned Keith to offer any support I could for him.

Over this past year, we spoke on the phone quite often. Chemotherapy will do things to your body that you cannot prepare for. One day, he asked if I had ever experienced one particular body changing experience from the chemo. A cancer survivor myself, I certainly had, and I told him of other crazy things I had experienced.

Keith was relieved to know that it wasn’t just him and that he wasn’t an odd cancer patient.

Keith’s journey, in his cancer battle, took him down paths that only life-threatening experience can. Through big ups and downs, there were times when he was given hope by his doctors after certain procedures and tremendous disappointments after others.

He had two big things going for him: He had a wonderfully supportive and loving wife in Ann, and he had found a renewed belief and faith in God. As I did six years ago in my own cancer battle, Keith acquired an inner calm, as he turned his life over to God. I am writing this month’s article just hours before I drive to Chelsea to attend the visitation and memorial service for my friend Keith. Last month, he succumbed to this damned disease of cancer, which had spread from his lungs to his brain and throughout his body to where it was no longer a fight.

Keith never met a stranger and never, over the nearly 40 years of our friendship, have I ever heard any negative words spoken about this fine person. He was one of my life’s blessings. Keith will be sorely missed by his countless friends and wonderful family.

The next time you’re thinking about playing a round of golf, you may want to ask someone you don’t know well to join you. If you pass up that chance, you could miss out on meeting one of your best friends.

Farewell, my friend. ~ Dave Jennings is the men’s golf coach at Central Alabama Community College.

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Lake Martin Living 33

Jazz Fest 2015 celebrates 25 years

T

Silver anniversary stars golden act

he free concerts always attract a crowd with the promise of great music and good times, and the Jazz Fest committee has something golden planned for this year’s silver anniversary. Class, style and celebration will dominate the 25th anniversary of Alexander City’s Jazz Fest June 12 and 13 at Strand Park downtown and the Lake Martin Amphitheatre.

For more than 50 years, Harold Brown, Lee Oskar, B.B. Dickerson and Howard Scott have shared the stage in front of sold-out audiences around the world. Last year, their namesake title, Low Rider, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and Jazz Fest is excited to bring them to Alexander City for the Strand Park event on Friday evening, said committee member Billy Barrett.

34 Lake Martin Living

“They are one of the most successful bands, in terms of records sold, that we’ve ever booked for Jazz Fest,” Barrett said.

“They’re a real catch for us.”

The band has sold more than 50 million albums, and their numerous hits have been sampled and recorded by other major artists, including Janet Jackson and Willie Nelson.

Along with Lonnie Jordan and the late Papa Dee Allen and Charles Miller, their hits include Still the One, Why Can’t We Be Friends and Don’t Let No One Get You Down, as well as many others.

The musicians lent their voices and instruments to the turbulent times of the 1960s, speaking out against crime, racism, hunger and war. Their message through the years has remained

Class Acts

Opposite: Lowrider Band members Harold Brown, Lee Oskar, B.B. Dickerson and Howard Scott have played together for more than 50 years; Clockwise from top left: Big Sam, The Rivivalists, Hotel Oskar and The Bank Walkers

one of peace, and this year, the four original band members will take the headline stage in Alexander City on June 12.

Two great acts will precede them. Local favorites, The Bank Walkers will break the concert open at 6 p.m. Don’t let their day jobs fool you, these professionals – an eye surgeon, a lawyer, a corporate vice president and a COO – can rock it out.

“They just get better and better,” Barrett said.

Following The Bank Walkers will be Big Sam’s Funky Nation with a signature powerfunk of world-class musicians.

“Lots of New Orleans brass and jazz,” Barrett said. “Great entertainer. Big Sam was with one of the premier jazz bands, the Dirty Dozen.”

At The AMP Saturday night, Chad Fisher Group will return to start the evening. Fisher has performed with a wide variety of solid entertainers, including The Temptations, Gregg Allman, The Spinners and Wayne Newton.

“Chad Fisher Group opened for us at The AMP last year, and lots of folks said that music was great with the sun going down. We just couldn’t go wrong bringing them back,” Barrett noted.

Hotel Oskar will take mid-stage at Saturday’s concert, playing a blend of musical styles from their roots-rock repertoire, and The Revivalists will close this year’s concert series with horns and pedal steel guitar undercurrents of New Orleans.

“Don’t overlook The Revivalists,” Barrett cautioned. “Their genre may be hard to describe, but they are a really good band.”

Music starts in Strand Park Friday at 6 p.m. and at The AMP at 6:30 Saturday evening. Bring chairs and blankets for seating; coolers and picnic baskets are welcome, but patrons are asked to remember that Jazz Fest is a family-oriented event.

Lake Martin Living 35

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Lake Martin Living 37

Mudcat STORY & PHOTOS BY MITCH SNEED

38 Lake Martin Living

Madness

What could be more crazy than catching a 40-pound catfish by hand?

Outlook editor Mitch Sneed admits, "Not much!"

Lake Martin Living 39

I

f we are honest, we’ve all seen something on Crazy But True Previous pages: New Site's John McKelvey television, in a magazine or on YouTube that checks a bottom hole for a monster catfish; made us say, “Those people are nuts, but it does Above: McKelvey wrestles his catch to the boat. look like fun,” or even “What’s the big deal? I could do that.”

The two and a half hour drive from New Site to For me, that moment came in 2012 when I Piedmont was a perfect time to ask questions. saw my first episode of Mudcats on The History “Why is Lake Weiss a better place to do this than Channel. The show follows a group of Oklahoma Lake Martin or say the Tallapoosa River?” I asked. ‘noodlers’ who became celebrities.

“You can do it anywhere really, but we’ve had Noodling, according to the Urban Dictionary, is some good success up there,” McKelvey said. “Water Mitch Sneed a form of fishing in which a crazy person runs into depth is the big reason, especially since this is your a lake and searches for holes on the bottom with first time. Lake Martin is a very deep lake. What we his foot. Then he inserts his finger into the hole and will do primarily is go along boat ramps and look for holes. At lets something bite it. Hopefully, it’s a catfish. If so, he wrestles Lake Weiss, the end of the boat ramps, in most cases, probably the catfish to the surface and drags it to shore. If it’s not a catfish, are no deeper than 6 to 8 feet deep. In Lake Martin, this time he may lose his finger to a snapping turtle or his life to a water of year, you may not find the end of the ramp until you are 16 moccasin. feet deep. That makes for some hard swimming and a long time If you have ever seen The History Channel’s show, you know under water, especially when you are as … as … as, let’s just say the definition is about right. ‘buoyant’ as you and I are.”

Last year, I wrote a column about fishing and made the At least he was politically correct enough not to call me fat. statement that I had always wanted to go noodling. The remark He is an elected official, after all. touched off calls from a few people, including Regina McKelvey, McKelvey went on to say that even in what appears to be a the wife of New Site Public Safety Director John McKelvey. John slow-moving river, the rushing water makes noodling tougher, was also a candidate for county commissioner at the time, and and rivers present other issues. she explained that her husband went noodling every spring and “When you are in a river, holes are tougher to find than that he would probably be glad to take me along on a trip. looking around man-made structures like a boat ramp,” he said.

I got to know John through covering news stories, and he “In a river, you may be in 2 feet of water and then take a step made the offer. and you are over your head in water. Plus, there are a whole lot “The next time I go, you will have to go with us,” he said. of things in a river that like to get in these holes that you don’t Spring came, and John was true to his word. want no part of.”

I couldn’t wait for the adventure. We were heading out for a Immediately, my mind went to another television show, day trip to beautiful Lake Weiss in North Alabama for a day of River Monsters, where visions of 10-foot snakes, alligators and noddling. fish with eyes in strange places and crooked teeth are the norm.

40 Lake Martin Living

A slow-motion black-and-white documentary of a trip to an emergency room to have an arm reattached flashed into my head. But then John hit the pause button.

“That’s why we aren’t going to a river,” he said.

McKelvey said he has been doing this for about 10 years, and he just couldn’t get enough.

“Once you’ve done this and get a feel for it, you won’t pick up a rod and reel again,” he told me. “I’m telling you, there’s a rush there that you can’t describe. You will see. I can tell you what it’s like, but until it happens you just can’t even imagine it.”

I would later find out that he was spot on with that description.

While John is a veteran, and often fishes with just his hand, he started me with training wheels, so to speak.

In the boat, he had several 10-foot sections of ¾-inch PVC pipe through which he had run 12-14 feet of cord. On one end, he had tied a treble hook, and on the other end was a large metal washer.

“Get in the water and feel along the edges of the ramp with your foot until you find a hole going up under it,” McKelvey said. “Pull the hook up to the pipe and run the pipe into the hole, and when you feel something hit it, snatch back. When that happens, chances are Sheer Joy you have a fish. It you hit Outlook editor Mitch Sneed something spongy at the front fell in love with noodling on a day trip to Weiss Lake. of the hole, then you can swim

down and just do it all by hand.”

It took less than 20 minutes and two boat ramps for John to find success. After staying under for what seemed like five minutes (actually about 45 seconds), he emerged with only his head above the water, obviously in a strain. By the time he had walked to more shallow water, the head of a 40-pound flathead catfish was visible. My jaw dropped like prices at a discount store, unable to believe what I was seeing. John’s hands were buried to the gills in the fish’s mouth.

“These teeth are starting to dig in,” McKelvey said.

I thought, “Teeth?” No one mentioned teeth before we got in the water.

But we got the monster in the boat and took time to catch our breath.

“Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of ways to get yourself hurt doing this,” McKelvey said. “But the teeth won’t usually do it. The rocks, the sharp edges of the ramp or a snake or turtle, maybe, but not usually the teeth.”

Snake? Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

Two holes later, I got my chance to feel the rush that John was talking about.

After locating a hole with my foot, I dropped to my knees, slipped the pipe in and began to feel around.

Then it happened. Something hit the pipe with a force that almost knocked it out of my hands. The pressure didn’t stop.

It was like the bell had rung at Wrestle Mania, and the match

Lake Martin Living 41

was on. I wanted that fish in Dangerous Spectator the boat, and it wanted to stay When a copperhead swam up to people watch, Sneed in its nice comfortable hole. got nervous, but McKelvey After what seemed like an kept right on fishing. eternity of struggle, the fish twisting and rolling, I got my hand into his mouth, and I had a 22-pound catfish in the boat.

Man, I felt like a cross between Bill Dance and Hulk Hogan.

I was ready to be enshrined into the Redneck Hall of Fame.

The celebration was short-lived. Three holes later, with John already in the water, I caught a vision out of the corner of my eye as I was getting out of the boat. A small head sticking up out of the water and moving towards us.

“John, I may be wrong. You know I don’t have my glasses on, but that looks like a snake,” I managed to get out.

“It sure is. You watch him while I go under, and I will watch when you fish,” John said.

Seriously? Hang around?

“If we don’t mess with him, he won’t mess with us.” John said.

The copperhead actually didn’t bother us much, slithering up a support beam under a dock to sun himself instead.

No harm, I guess, but talk about a buzz kill. From then on, every time I got in the water, that image was stuck in my head.

“There are some dangers, but I’d say it’s worth it,” McKelvey said. “Wouldn’t you? But a snake will change your whole attitude.”

Even with the unexpected, John was right. It was an incredible experience and another thing crossed off my bucket list.

In all, we caught about 200 pounds of fish that will fry, grill or blacken in large filets that are flaky and tasty.

John released some of the larger fish and the ones that were obviously filled with eggs to help protect the reproductive cycle, but what a great day on the water.

Noodling is illegal in most states, but in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Texas, it is game on.

42 Lake Martin Living

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Lake Martin Living 43

Musical Murals and More Downtown painting is one of several by local artist Charles Forbus STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & AUDRA SPEARS

A

ndy Tucker started thinking about a mural on the streetside wall of the City Pawn Shop about a week or two after buying the business two years ago.

“I talked to Charles Forbus about painting a mural, because he can do just about anything with a pencil and paper,” Tucker said.

A good friend of Tucker’s for nearly 30 years, the shop owner drew a rough sketch of what he had in mind.

“We know each other pretty well, so I knew what it was he wanted,” said Forbus, who last month started and finished the oil based painting of Clarence Clemons and Stevie Ray Vaughn on the corner of Calhoun and Bibb streets.

“I wanted a mural about music, because we sell musical equipment, as well as jewelry and guns. I had some horns in the drawing, and drums, but Charles added people to it.”

44 Lake Martin Living

Forbus elaborated on Tucker’s original art, refining it in a computer graphics program to develop the concept further.

After the design was approved as meeting city statutes regarding signage, Forbus had to wait until this spring to begin the paint application, as oil based paint requires warm temperatures and low humidity to properly set up.

When the weather cleared in midMay, he sketched the design on the brick wall in chalk and grease pencil to begin the process of bringing the drawing to life.

Then he sprayed the purple paint right after he did the initial sketch.

“If it rained, it would have washed it all away, so I needed to get the purple on the wall early,” Forbus explained.

Over the next few days, he came back in with vibrant yellow, orange and red colors between the figures.

“It wasn’t until I added the white that it really started to look like something,” Forbus said.

His rendition of Clemons and Vaughn on the pale green brick wall with keyboard and drummer silhouetted in purple displays intensity in the musicians’ faces.

“I like doing portraits the most.

They are my favorite, and I do a lot of them,” he explained.

The project took him about 28 hours over a week of days, he said, and while the colors may fade with time, the painting should last for several years.

Airbrushed Art

Above: It took Forbus about 28 hours over a week of days to paint the mural at the corner of Calhoun and Bibb streets in downtown Alexander City; Right: After drawing the design in chalk and grease pencil, he applied purple paint with a sprayer.

A native of Alexander City, Forbus graduated BRHS in 1986, but even before that he was well known for his artistic talent. “When I was young, my grandmother used to let me draw on the walls, and as I grew, my drawings got better going up the wall,� Forbus Lake Martin Living 45

said. “Then when I got to school, the teachers were always asking me to draw something. I was on the decorating committee for prom in high school every year.”

He painted a Wildcat mural on on the field at the sportplex stadium, and later, he painted another on a wall in the school’s front lobby.

The BRHS Wildcat on the ground at the sportplex was painted freehand, he said.

“Later on, I realized that when they do those paintings for the big football games, they put down a sheet with the design cut out and just paint it in sections. I didn’t know how to do that, so I stood on the area I was painting while I painted it, but it turned out great.”

Forbus also painted the vintage signage on the exterior of Carlisle’s for the downtown soda fountain’s 100th anniversary last year, brushing paint over the faded lettering and designs. It was a more intricate and detailed design, but Forbus continues to draw compliments on this mural of famed musicians that appeared on a downtown street just weeks before the silver anniversary of Jazz Fest.

Forbus works in the sign source division of Lee Marketing Group in Dadeville. He and his wife Jodie have been married eight years and have two sons.

Art About Town

Top to Bottom: As Forbus worked on the mural, traffic slowed around him, and passersby stopped to watch the design unfold; The renovation of the Carlisle Drug building is another Forbus work. For this project, he used a brush over the faded antique design to revive the vintage signage; Forbus painted the Wildcat mural that greets students, teachers and visitors in the school lobby at BRHS.

46 Lake Martin Living

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3/18/15 11:25 AM Lake Martin Living 47

Special Team

BRHS varsity soccer coach Austin Teel learned soccer under his father Sammy who held the job before him.

48 Lake Martin Living

Father and Son

BRHS winning soccer coach follows in his father’s footsteps STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

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RHS Varsity Soccer Coach Austin Teel doesn’t just celebrate Father’s Day; he lives it. Teel, who last month took the Benjamin Russell High School team to the state’s final four contest in Huntsville, had been on that team bus before – as a student with his father, Sammy, in the coaching position. But this time, Sammy was driving the bus.

“My dad’s been involved in soccer with me my whole life,” the younger Teel said. “I started playing in a city rec league when I was 5 years old. When I was 8, I played club soccer year round with Alex City Fire, and in junior high school, my dad became my coach.”

Sammy came to the area in 1987 and took a job coaching other sports at Alexander City Middle School.

“Soccer wasn’t a big sport then, but when the boys (Austin and his older brother, Al) started playing in the rec league, I helped out with that a little,” Sammy said. “When the high school started a program, parents came to me and said they wanted a middle school program, so I started coaching the soccer team with Chad Kison as the assistant coach.”

Kison had coached the boys during the Fire years when Sammy had assisted.

After coaching 18 years at the middle school, Sammy moved to the high school where he coached the varsity boys, including his sons. During those years, the team advanced to the playoffs twice.

“It was special to have the boys on the team, but it was tough, too,” Sammy noted. “I couldn’t let them get by with anything. I think I was tougher on Al and Austin than I was on the other boys. They played their roles well, but if they were late to practice, they probably had to run more than the others.

“A lot of dads don’t get to spend that

much time with their children, so they were around me a lot more than most. Not only as a coach and a teacher but also as a boss when they were lifeguarding at the city pool.

That’s something most dads don’t get, not just watching from the sideline, but a big part of it was being their coach.”

Austin started volunteering at Children’s Harbor camps and drew his father into the programs there as well. When he left for college, Sammy continued to offer his time for terminally ill children and their families.

So when Austin returned to Alexander City after college to step into his father’s shoes as varsity soccer coach at BRHS, it was only natural for Sammy to be at his side.

“The first year, he showed me the ropes,” Austin explained. “Not just coaching but also scheduling and fund raising. He taught me all those administrative things, and most of the time, he was on the sidelines, too. He’s also there for the boys. He coached them when they were younger, and he really cares for them the same as I do.”

This year, Sammy took the driver’s seat on the team bus, and he was there with his son and the team when they once again competed through the playoffs.

“Your dad is somebody to encourage you and to look up to and ask for advice that you can trust. Especially when it comes from your dad, you know that advice is the right thing to do,” Austin said.

“What father doesn’t want his son to follow in their profession?” Sammy said. “I don’t always say it, but I’m very proud.

“These days, when we go to places in town together, and a kid sees us and calls out, ‘Hey, Coach!’ we look at each other and ask, ‘Which one?’” Sammy said with a smile.

Lake Martin Living 49

Beat the Bugs STORY BY JENNIFER BRADY PHOTOS BY AUDRA SPEARS & JAMES GATHANY

50 Lake Martin Living

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he sun sets on Tallapoosa County at about 8 p.m. these days, and all around the countryside, folks have been out in full force enjoying the longer days. While fun is on the forefront, safety also is something to consider. Ticks and other disease-carrying pests are out to spoil the fun for hunters, hikers and others who enjoy the great outdoors, as these insects spread Lyme disease, tularemia and, in some cases, the West Nile virus. But, they can’t get to you if you know how protect yourself.

There are many options for protection, including sprays, lotions and even essential oils and other natural protectants, the most common of which seems to be good old bug repellent; however, being safe outside doesn’t come without concerns of its own.

Alexander City physician Dr. Michele Goldhagen recommended repellent users take care to properly use products designed to protect from insect-born diseases but avoid adverse side effects.

The Centers for Disease Control purports that DEET (chemical name N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is used as the active ingredient in many insect repellents. DEET is designed for direct application to skin to repel insects, rather than to kill them. DEET has proven successful, but its side effects could be dangerous if products are not used according to product directions.

Those side effects, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, an arm of the Centers for Disease Control, can include psychological effects, reproductive issues and some cancers. While these side effects are cause for concern among many, Goldhagen, who serves as the emergency room director and chief medical officer at Russell Medical Center, noted the health hazards could be avoided or curbed with proper application.

“The most common side effect we see is respiratory, especially if you have asthma or COPD,” she said. “Don’t breathe it in. When you apply the spray, turn your head while you spray and walk away, so you don’t inhale it.”

Goldhagen added that it is important to be careful with the very young and the very old when using repellants.

“Lower DEET is safer for the very young, but keep in mind that what is toxic to ticks is toxic to us,” she said.

“We are seeing an increasing number of Lyme cases here, and the most important thing you can do is check your skin. Ticks like to hide in the folds of our skin, so be sure to check your arms and legs; really, just all over.”

She added that ticks burrow their heads into the skin, so when trying to remove a tick yourself, make sure to remove the head.

“Some people are able to remove them at home, but if you can’t, we will inject a numbing agent around the tick entry and make a small incision to remove it. The most important thing is that the head is removed from your skin.”

Smaller ticks, such as deer ticks, are the ones that carry Lyme disease and are often harder to remove alone, she noted.

DEET sprays are not the only option to repel insects, noted Woody Baird, owner of Alexander City’s The Sure Shot, a hunting supply store.

“I’ve heard of people taking a flea collar and putting Beat Off the Bugs

Previous page: Emma Tapley applies insect repellent before the day's outdoor activities, taking care not to spray near her face, as some repellents could adversely affect health if the spray is inhaled; Below left: Mosquitos like this one are known to carry a variety of infectious diseases or viruses, including some that could cause encephalitis, a brain infection that is sometimes fatal; Below right: The deer tick, which causes Lyme disease, is often difficult to spot, as it hides in the folds of the skin where it buries its head.

Lake Martin Living 51

that around their ankle,” he said. “Ticks are horrible right now, and when it comes to keeping ticks off, you will need something very good.”

The U.S. Army Public Health Command website notes that the practice of wearing pet flea and tick collars on skin or over clothing or footwear to repel insects is illegal, ineffective and unsafe, as pet products contain chemicals that are not approved for human use and frequently cause severe skin reactions.

Baird recommended that anyone heading outdoors cover all exposed skin with a good concentration of DEET, paying very close attention to how it is applied.

Products containing DEET are available in a variety of liquids, lotions, sprays and wristbands that range in chemical concentration from 4 to 100 percent.

Baird said that while concentrations around 15 percent are typically recommended, he uses 100 percent, especially if he’s wearing shorts.

“It’s all in the application,” he explained. “People can have a reaction if they’re putting on too much. They’ll usually fill up their palm with it, and that is too much.

It really only takes a spritz. A spritz will cover all of the exposed skin, easily. Just follow the directions.”

Goldhagen also suggested making sure your tetanus shot is up to date, because a tick bite is considered a dirty wound and a break in the skin. A patient should have had a tetanus shot within five years of a dirty wound and within 10 years of a clean wound.

A tetanus shot can be administered when a patient comes into the ER with a tick bite, but anyone can also speak with his or her doctor about already having the combined pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus booster that is specifically for young and old patients.

There also are home remedies for keeping bugs away, including drinking apple cider vinegar, eating lots of garlic and taking Vitamin B1 tablets daily, but their effectiveness may vary depending on an individual's body chemistry.

Some varieties of lemon balm contain a high concentration of citronellal, which mimics compounds found in citronella, another popular repellent. Citronella often is added to candles or lantern oil. When lit, the scent from the source wards off mosquitos.

What we do for ourselves, Goldhagen noted, we should also do for our pets, making sure all pets are properly protected from ticks and disease-carriers, as well.

“Just be smart and use common sense,” she noted.

Taking care with repellent protection will help to ensure the longer summer days will be healthy ones.

52 Lake Martin Living

Precautions to follow when using repellents n Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing (as directed on the product label). n Do not apply repellents under your clothing. n Never use repellents over cuts, wounds or irritated skin. n Do not apply to eyes or mouth and apply sparingly around ears. n When using repellent sprays, do not spray directly on your face – spray on your hands first and then apply to your face. n Do not allow children to handle or spray the product. When using on children, apply to your own hands first and then put it on the child. Avoid applying repellent to children’s hands, because children frequently put their hands in their eyes and mouths. n Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. Heavy application does not give you better or longer-lasting protection. n After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water or bathe. This is particularly important when repellents are used repeatedly in a day or on consecutive days. n If you (or your child) get a rash or other reaction from a repellent, stop using the product; wash the repellent off with mild soap and water and call a local poison control center for further guidance. If you go to a doctor, it might be helpful to take the repellent with you. n If using sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first and then the repellent.

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FABULOUS FINDS FROM OUR REAL ESTATE ADVERTISERS

Glynmere at Willow Point • $559,000 Like new 4 bedroom home behind the gates of Willow Point Golf and Country Club. This lake access home has a boat slip, sandy beach, swimming pool, no yard work, upgrades throughout. A must see. Great price!

Lake Martin Realty Call Jan or David Hall 256-329-6313 jhall@russelllands.com

Russell Cabins The Verandas Parker Creek • $525,000 Announcing New Phase of Russell Cabins- Paddock Point What a view! Great location on Beautiful Lake Martin!

This Bill Farshee design is a perfect plan to consider at PadClear water with a sandy bottom, many outdoor spaces in dock Point. With four bedrooms, each with a private bath the sun or in the shade. Wood walls, floors and ceiling give and a spacious living-dining-kitchen open layout with a this cabin a special charm. A mus see! handsomely crafted stone fireplace, it is great for entertaining Lake Martin Realty and offers wonderful water views. Two expansive screened Call Jan or David Hall 256-329-6313 porches for outdoor living and an open covered porch as well. jhall@russelllands.com At $925,000, It will be perfect for next summer enjoyment.

Call Rhonda or Emily today.

The Ridge Phase 2, Ella Belle 1513 River Oaks Drive, Jackson’s Gap •$679,000 New Lake Beauty! Legacy New Homes, a first-class builder, is Fun and memories are all here for you at this move in ready, one level now crafting a superb new lake home. Top-notch design that 4 bedrooms and 2 baths lake home in River Oaks neighborhood. features an open floor plan, 2 master suites on main level, 2 Inside, you will love the open floor plan with lake views and all the additional guest suites & 2nd greatroom on terrace level, ample upgrades one would expect. Outside, launch your boat from your boat toy storage, & even more fine benefits. Generous outdoor own private boat ramp and keep it on the year round water dock. +/living spaces inspire fun family gatherings and therapeutic sun- 285 feet of flat, waterfront footage with huge views are also thrown in! sets. Offered at $1,500,000. Call for more detailed information.

Convenient to Birmingham, Auburn and Georgia!

Russell Lands On Lake Martin Lake Martin Realty Emily or Rhonda 256.215.7011 David Mitchell • 256.212.3511 www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com www.LakeMartinRealty.com

127 Hilltop Drive, Tallassee • $499,000 See the beautiful sunsets from the deck of this cozy 3 BR/ 2 BA Home with a great view. Sloping lot with numerous hardwood trees. Deep water, sun room and a lot of deck space. Very private and only 35 minutes to Montgomery and Auburn. 90 minutes to Birmingham.

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54 Lake Martin Living

345 North Holiday Drive, Dadeville •$540,000 Incredible and newly renovated, 7 bedroom lake house featuring everything you could want in a lake home! Big open water view with incredible sunsets, 2 great rooms with fireplaces, gourmet kitchen upstairs and additional kitchen downstairs. Deck and patio offer great outdoor living spaces, pier and dock have deep, emerald water, plus a boat ramp!

Near Auburn and convenient to Georgia.

Lake Martin Realty Randall Rogers • 334.707.5804 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

180 Glynmere Drive, Alexander City • $799,000 52 Northshore Circle, Dadeville • $199,900 Glynmere at Willow Point-Premier Lakefront Beautiful Waterfront lot w/water views on 3 sides!

Neighborhood that is maintenance free! Stroll to the sandy Beautiful interior, stainless steel appliances, tank-less water beach, pool & clubhouse, or your own boat slip. Gorgeous heater, tinted windows, 20x20 covered deck and covered big water views from this exquisite, 3 story, 6 bedroom porch w/composite lumber. PWC lift. Floating dock. Great home, which features all premium finishes & upgrades. In park for full-time or part-time living. Beach and visitor addition there is an in-ground propane tank for grilling boat slips close by. and home generic generator.

Leroy Sellers • 256.496.2141 Judy Ward • 256.794.0779 Lake Martin Realty Lake Martin Realty www.LakeMartinRealty.com www.LakeMartinRealty.com

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56 Lake Martin Living

Emily Gilbert Dementia Support Group helps family and caregivers cope

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“The support group allows the caregivers ixteen years ago, a very vivacious hospital volunteer recognized the to find a social group that understands and need to lend support to families is able to assist in dealing with these aspects. and caregivers of patients living with We discuss ways to understand the causes Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Emily of behavior and help caregivers prevent or Gilbert, a retired RN and officer in the decrease distress for their ailing loved one Russell Medical Center (RMC) Auxiliary, and themselves. Within the group, there is approached the organization with the vision also exchange of information on different of forming a new support group designed methods of dealing with problems with diet, to help loved ones cope with the physical, exercise, activity of daily living, hygiene, mental and emotional changes that occur in medications, just to name a few.” dementia patients.

Both Myers and Kearse attend conferences The Auxiliary embraced this effort and Susan Foy in continuing education to stay abreast of the has sponsored and nurtured this special latest news, treatments and research findings. group since 1999. The group meets the third When appropriate, they secure various professionals to Monday of each month from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the speak to the support group, including attorneys, social Community Room of the Professional Building. Gloria Myers, retired RN, and Lynda Kearse, who have “walked workers, home health nurses and hospital personnel.

“The most important thing we stress in our in the caretaker’s shoes,” facilitate these meetings. meetings is education,” said Myers. “We discuss According to Kearse, over 7 million Americans now everything. Sharing is a way of learning from others have dementia, with 90,000 in Alabama alone. on the same journey, and we create a comfortable “It is important to understand the difference in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease,” Kearse said. “Unlike environment, which allows a safe place to talk about Alzheimer’s, dementia is not a disease. It’s a group of aspects the group members want to discuss. symptoms that affect mental tasks like memory and “Of course, not everyone will go through the same reasoning. Dementia is a problem of the brain that stages in the same way, but it is helpful to understand you’re more likely to develop as you age. Dementia what others are going through and realize that you are can be caused by a variety of conditions, including not alone. Our group size varies from month to month, degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Huntington’s, but I feel confident that current and former members with the most common and familiar cause being will agree that the meetings are therapeutic and Alzheimer’s disease.” informative. We welcome new members and are always According to the Cleveland Clinic, Alzheimer’s available to answer questions regarding our meetings.” disease is responsible for 50 to 70 percent of all cases of “Emily gave her heart and passion to this support dementia, and almost two thirds of American patients group for many years,” said Sarah Newman, are women. It is a progressive disease of the brain that coordinator of volunteer services for RMC. “I believe slowly impairs memory and cognitive function. The she would be very proud of the capable hands this exact cause is unknown, and there is no cure. support group is in now with Gloria and Sarah. She left Myers noted that as dementia progresses, it can have a devastating impact on the patient’s ability to function behind a very important and valuable legacy for many neighbors in our community.” independently.

For additional information regarding the Emily “This is a major cause of disability for dementia Gilbert Dementia Support Group for Family and patients and places an emotional and financial burden on families and caregivers,” she explained. “In addition, Friends, please contact Sarah Newman at 256-3297177. the behavioral changes and fears that develop, and the inability to communicate normally, further remove ~ Susan Foy is marketing director at Russell Medical them from normal and comforting social situations.

Center.

Thus, the patient and family become more isolated.

Medical News

Lake Martin Living 57

S

Mortgage Lender Secrets

ome experts believe that consumers could have prevented the subprime mortgage fiasco if only they were better educated about how mortgage financing works.

But who wants to school themselves on ratios and amortizations and securitizations when there’s another type of homework to tackle – like picking out paint chips and light fixtures? Of course, before you can hit the local stores to canvas the paint aisle, you have to get the right financing.

We’ve got some advice on the key things that homebuyers need to know – from where to go for your loan to how you can up your chances of being approved for a mortgage.

Should I use a loan officer or an Independent loan originator?

Karen Jennings A loan officer is typically just the smiling face of the institution. The officer’s job is to accept an application that the borrower has filled out; and then, hand it off to the underwriting department.

An independent loan originator, on the other hand, typically renders more service to the borrower, including things like advising the client about the best loans available for their purposes, gathering documentation throughout the process, ordering the appraisal and communicating directly with the underwriter to ensure that the loan gets approved.

So what happens if I don’t use a loan officer?

A large bank or credit union relies on the underwriting department to handle all of the above tasks, but these departments aren’t working as representatives for the borrower.

The takeaway for the consumer: Mortgage rates available at an independent loan originator, whether broker or banker, won’t be higher than those offered through a big bank. In fact, in many cases, the rates are somewhat lower, partly because independent mortgage brokers typically have more loan sources available to them compared to the big banks, which usually just have a handful of loan products to offer prospective homeowners.

Since all lenders have essentially the same rates, a consumer should select a mortgage professional based on their perception of the loan officer’s experience and diligence. Does the person answer questions in clear, understandable language? Do they talk about the available choices? Do they respond to email and answer or return phone calls? There is a certain amount of “gut feeling” involved, too: Does the loan officer seem interested, engaged and friendly?

There’s also the issue of the competence of the lender. Some lenders advertise heavily, with jaw-dropping low rates, but they have no one on staff that can deal with challenges to loan 58 Lake Martin Living

approval. In today’s world, there are no more “cookie cutter” loans; every transaction has challenges. If the lender’s “loan consultants” are call center employees, the chances of getting a loan approved and funded are much slimmer than with a lender whose representative is licensed and registered.

Is there anything that I can do to improve my chances of getting approved for a loan?

Buyers’ finances should be reasonably well organized before applying for a loan.

If they have credit issues, it’s far better to get them resolved beforehand. Credit card balances over 30 percent of a credit limit, for example, could reduce credit scores – sometimes drastically. If there are tax liens, unsatisfied judgments or other public record items, deal with these ahead of time.

Kay Thomas A good loan officer can provide advice on how best to accomplish this.

What top factors determine if I get a loan?

The most important thing is the debt-to-income ratio (DTI), which is calculated by taking the total house payment (principal and interest, taxes, insurance and mortgage insurance, if applicable) and adding all “long-term” debt payments (any that will continue for more than 10 months); then, expressing that sum as a percentage of the gross monthly income. For a conventional loan, 50 percent is the maximum value, but some loan programs may allow a higher DTI. The lender also looks at the loan-to-value ratio (LTV) or the loan amount expressed as a percentage of the home’s value.

If it’s a purchase, the lender will use the lower of the appraised value or the contract price. And if the LTV is higher than 80 percent, the borrower will have to pay mortgage insurance.

Next, the lender looks at income. Is it stable? Has the borrower been in the same line of work for at least two years?

If self-employed, can the person document income from tax returns? Lenders will use the net income from the tax returns, not the gross; plus, they typically average the last two years’ net income.

Finally, borrowers have to document that they have adequate liquid assets for the transaction. If there are any large deposits appearing on their bank statements, they will have to show the source. Many buyers get gifts from relatives or family friends, and they must be documented in a very particular way.

MONEY MATTERS

~ Contact Karen Jennings and Kay Thomas at Thomas Mortgage in Alexander City at 256-329-0003.

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Paddle for a Purpose May 30, 2015 Children's Harbor, Lake Martin 1. Amanda Chandler and Traci Roy

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2. Luke Knight and Julie Sinclair 3. Magda and Ava Cooper and Jennifer Buzzelli 4. Karen Channell and Susan Dageforde 5. Chris and Nan Johnson and Nancy Coley 6. Lisa Woodruff, Wanda Coker, Racheal White and Jackson Lily 7. Lisa Bellomy, Jimmie and Lisa Boisjolie 8. Denise Johnson, Penny Sorrell and Valerie Ward

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Russell Lands Chuck Wagon Cook Out May 30, 2015 The Ridge Barn, Russell Crossroads 1. Alex Jones 2. Emily Spink 3. Rhonda Watson and Buddy and Linda Foy 4. Lynn Perine, Gene Borowski and Prudy Skoog 5. Menelle and John Weiss 6. Rich Skoog and Jim Burley 7. Bertha and Jim Hoskins and Dawn Hirn 8. Steve Arnberg 9. Diane and Philip Gidiere 60 Lake Martin Living

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New Site Trade Days April 18, 2015 5 6

New Site 1. Steve Norton and Michael Henderson 2. Chassity Ethridge, Charlotte Ray and Brandon Lancaster 3. Arlo Burton and Arlo Burton Jr. 4. Clark Dennis and Maggie Ruff 5. Mae and Mike Tate 6. Alexus Hardnett, Maggie Wood and Cassidy Black

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Alexander City Memorial Day Ceremony May 24, 2015 Charles E. Bailey Sportplex Alexander City 1. Earl and Sandra Wilson, Linda and Sanford Meadows 2. Danny Wright, Billy Ray Wall and Benny McLeod 3. Sharmaine Stowes, Marilyn Ownes and Kaleb Stowes 4. Brianna Jones and Coye Powell 5. Tanya and David DeMoss, Alayna and Mason Waldrep, Chris, Corner, Jake and Cali Baker

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THIS IS COMMUNITY. THIS IS YOUR MUSEUM. THIS IS AUBURN.

JCSM.AUBURN.EDU Lake Martin Living 63

Calendar

THE LAKE REGION

FEATURED EVENT

Breathing new life into the past with militia warfare

Learn the true meaning of "back in the day..." when Horseshoe Bend Military Park hosts the Tennessee Militia in a Living History Drill at Wind Creek State Park. On June 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., demonstrators will show Black Powder how militiamen trained before Lee Lehman fires a taking up arms in the Creek flintlock, which is much War of 1813-1814. more complicated than one might imagine.

In witnessing the laborVisit Horseshoe Bend's intensive method of loading and guests, the Tennessee firing a weapon that dates back Militia, at Wind Creek more than 200 years, it's difficult State Park June 27 for a living history drill. to imagine how soldiers waged war. Black powder flintlock smooth-bore guns were painstakingly packed with a lead ball and explosive wadding, a time-consuming task that gave soldiers one shot at hitting their targets before reloading the hot metal barrel for a second round.

Living history demonstrations, including flintlock firing, 64 Lake Martin Living

offer insight into the complexity of that long ago battle at Horseshoe Bend. On March 27, 1814, Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson’s army of 3,300 men attacked Chief Menawa’s 1,000 Red Stick Creek warriors fortified in a horseshoe-shaped bend of the Tallapoosa River. More than 800 Red Sticks died that day. The battle ended the Creek War, resulting in a land cession of 23 million acres to the United States.

Watching authentically dressed re-enactors demonstrate the lifestyles of these early American soldiers gives insight into their weapons and their daily struggles, from the campfire, a necessity for sustenance, to the type of clothes they wore to protect them from the inhospitable elements.

For details about the reenactment, call 256-234-7111.

LAKE REGION EVENTS June 8-July 31

Boys & Girls Club Summer Camp

Sign the kids up for swimming, reading, team building, skating, arts and crafts, bowling, movies and more with the Boys & Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area in Dadeville. Registration is $20; cost of the program is $40 per week for one child; $30 each for two or more children per family. Program includes breakfast, snack, daily activities from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and occasional field trips.

Call 256-234-4757 for information.

June 12-13 Jazz Fest

The annual Jazz Fest music-in-thepark event turns 25 this year! This free two-day event will feature three great bands at Strand Park in downtown Alexander City on Friday night and another three at the Lake Martin Amphitheater on Saturday. This year’s Friday night lineup includes The Bank Walkers, Big Sam’s Funky Nation and classic rockers, the Lowrider Band.

Chad Fisher Group will return to the amphitheater stage to open the Saturday night band series, followed by Hotel Oskar and The Revivalists. See page 34 for details.

June 13

Kowaliga VFD Raffle

Come for food, fun and prizes at Kowaliga Marina from 12 to 3 p.m. and help the Kowaliga VFD purchase needed equipment. Raffle tickets are $5. Prizes include a paddleboard, Big Green Egg, smoker, Yeti cooler and more. Sign up for the Yellow Dot program, too (helps crash victims communicate with first responders). You don’t have to be present to win. Call Sue at 334-717-1714 for information and tickets.

June 18

Day of Action

Spruce up our schools for the Lake Martin Area United Way Day of Action.

Volunteers will be working at Stephens Elementary School in Alexander City, Central High School in Coosa County and Dadeville High School and Horseshoe Bend to clean, landscape, wash windows, paint and more. Register before June 12 at 256-329-0110 or email uw211@unitedwaylakemartin.org.

June 18

Book Signing

Chad Gibbs, author of God & Football (2010) and Love Thy Rival (2014), will introduce his latest book, Jesus Without Borders, at the Dadeville Public Library (205 N. West St.) at 2:30 p.m. Gibbs, a native of Alabama, will discuss what it is like to be Christian anywhere else in the world. The event will be sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Call 256-825-7820 for information.

June 20

Intro to Sailing

Dixie Sailing Club will offer a free introduction to sailing class from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 767 New Hope Church Road.

Participants could learn to sail a Sunfish, take a tour of the boatyard and go sailing on a member’s boat. Lunch will be provided. Class is limited to 60 people, so reserve your space early by calling event coordinator Keith Bennett at 334-3249383 or email him at cat221@msn.com.

June 23-July 21

Dadeville Library Summer Reading

The afternoon program will be held on Tuesdays in June and July beginning at 3:30 p.m. After weeks of fun exploring books, the program will wind up with a Hero Party, encouraging young readers to come dressed in their favorite superhero or community hero costume. For details, call 256-825-7820.

June 25

Republican Party Social

The Tallapoosa County Republican Party will host a social and meeting at StillWaters Clubhouse at 6:30 p.m.

Speakers will be John Klenke, former state representative from Wisconsin who will speak about Scott Walker; Alabama Republican Party Chair, Terry Lathan, also will speak. For information, call 256749-0715.

June 26-27

Lake Martin Slalom Championship

Competition at Kowaliga Marina is open to novice slalom skiers. U.S. Senior World Team Member and Alabama State record holder, Bob Schouten, and state champions and nationally ranked competitors, Joseph Schouten and Payton Phillips will teach a clinic Friday. Participants will be designated a time to be present for individual instruction. Limited to 30 participants.

Saturday tournament will begin at 9 a.m.

Spectators welcome. For registration or information, contact Roxanne Kelley at roxlake@gmail.com; Bob Schouten at alabamawaterski@gmail.com; or Doug Hamrick at dhamrick@russelllands.com.

June 26

Wine With Words

The Dadeville Public Library will host a wine sampling and book buying event at Chuck’s Marina at 5 p.m., allowing oenophiles to sample wines while perusing a selection of books for all ages.

The cost for vouchers is $5, and book sales benefit the library. The event also includes pizza and entertainment. For details, call 256-825-7820.

June 27

PATH Trash Walk

The June PATH Trash Walk will meet 8 a.m. in the parking lot at Flint Hill Methodist Church to receive assignments and pick up supplies. The targeted roadsides will be Coven Abbott, Coley Creek, Dadeville Road and others in close proximity. Please join your neighbors in keeping the Lake Martin community free of unsightly roadside litter. For questions, call John Thompson at 334-399-3289.

Lake Martin Living 65

July 3

Alexander City Celebrates Freedom

The annual celebration of America’s independence will be held at Benjamin Russell High School from 6 to 10 p.m.

The family-oriented event will include fun for all ages. Musical artists include The Spirituals and The Martins. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ alexcityscelebratefreedom.

July 3-4

Arti Gras

decorated boats parade from Kowaliga Marina to Children’s Harbor and back at this year’s boat parade, sponsored

by Russell Lands On Lake Martin. Or better yet, join the the fun and drive your boat in the parade. Entry is free, but participants must register at the marina.

Prizes will be awarded for largest flag, tallest flag, most patriotic decorations and most creative. The parade will begin at 10 a.m.

July 4

Concert & Fireworks

This annual juried art show on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads has expanded to two days this year, starting at noon on Friday until 8:30 p.m. and open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Come visit with friends, browse the tents and take home some great conversational art pieces from this year’s Arti Gras.

Nationwide Coverage returns this year for the pre-fireworks concert at The AMP. Bring lawn chairs, coolers and kids.

Spread a blanket on the hillside and then settle back for some great music at 6 p.m. and the most spectacular fireworks show in the Southeast at 9 p.m.

July 4

Crossroads Garden Pancake Breakfast

Boat Parade

Bring a lawn chair and watch the

Catherine’s Market Wine Tastings

Gather around a table with friends at Catherine’s Market from 5 to 7 p.m. every Friday through Sept. 4 to taste a selection of wines. Your $5 tasting fee will be applied to the purchase of any featured wines for the evening.

Yoga on the Green

Bring a mat and a bottle of water to the Russell Crossroads Town Green at 7 a.m.

Saturdays through Sept. 5 to start the day.

Fridays on the Green

July 4

Meet your friends at the Russell Crossroads Town Green at 6:30 p.m. for an evening of music, lawn games and beautiful sunsets.

The Community Garden Club will host a pancake breakfast benefit in the Arts Cabin at Russell Crossroads from 8 to 10 a.m. Pancakes, juice and coffee will be served. The cost is $5 and should be paid with cash or check.

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

July 14

Dadeville Library Underdog Program

The library will host the National History Educational Company of the Midsouth to focus on animals that may seem ordinary but in fact have developed heightened senses or other traits that often are overlooked by the casual observer. The exhibit will include chinchilla, fennec fox, sulcate tortoise, black-headed python and more. For details, call 256-825-7820.

Season-Long Events MainStreet Farmers Market

Shop the produce of local growers every Saturday morning at Broad Street Plaza in downtown Alexander City to pick up fresh, seasonal, fruits, honey, jams, jellies and relishes, eggs, herb plants, lotions, creams, shampoo and 66 Lake Martin Living

conditioner, soaps made from goats’ milk and beeswax byproducts. Local growers will offer their products from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Library Storytime

$20 on the 20th

The Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce is asking our community to “Spend $20 on the 20th” of each month to help our local economy.

Memory Makers Quilt Guild

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

Art Association of Central Alabama

Meet at 5:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at Wine Emporium, 128 Calhoun Street, Alexander City. Artistic technique in painting, drawing and other arts taught at each meeting. For information, call Martha McKnight 256825-6503 or Jerri Halmark 256-825-0595.

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JUST SOME OF THE FEATURES: • Current conditions and water levels • Generation schedules • Fishing hotspots and hunting information • Interactive maps • Information about day-use parks and lake access

apcshorelines.com © 2015 Alabama Power Company

Lake Martin Living 67

9

Goldville 280

Goodwater

5 To Sylacauga

Legend

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

63

New Site

Public Boat Ramps 22

280

Churches

24

Camps & Parks

Timbergut Landing

9

Power lines

20

280

19

10

U.S. Highways

Alexander City

Camp ASCCA

9

County Roads

15

Flint Hill Church

22

Alex City Boat Ramp

11

Rockford

3

49

128

22

Piney Woods Landing

Wind Creek 63 State Park

COOSA COUNTY

Horsesh Nation

Jaybird Landing

Jacksons Gap

Pleasant Grove Church

11

9

Mt. Zion Church

259

Friendship Church Liberty Church

20

Bethel Church

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

22

Smith Landing Willow Point

24

Seman

4 Camp Kiwanis

Church in The Pines Trillium

1 Children’s Harbor Ko w

ali

12 21 9

Church of the Living Waters

The Ridge

The Amp

ga

2

49 Stillwaters

23

Union Landing

Ba

Walnut Hill

y

27

80

25

Lake Martin Baptist Church

Camp Alamisco

Kowaliga Boat Landing 55

Pleasant Ridge Church

34

6 63 18 7

Equality

231

17

8

57

New Hope Church

Dadev

280

Union

90

50

Central

Red Hill

16

Union Church

63 229

49

Eclectic

6

Santuck

22 Kent Reeltown

120

14

231

14

26

ELMORE COUNTY Wetumpka

68 Lake Martin Living

14

Tallassee 229

MACO COUNT

Lake Martin Region

Daviston 22

Marinas 11. Kowaliga Marina 334-857-2111

255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 22. The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300

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

250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

hoe Bend nal Park

42. Real Island Marina 334-857-2741

270 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

Restaurants

CHAMBERS COUNTY

ville

ON TY

66. SpringHouse 256-215-7080

12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 76. Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070

17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

50

Camp Hill

54. Teresa Catering & Wedding Cakes 256-249-2021 www.teresacatering.com

4890 County Rd. 41, Sylacauga, Al 35150

86.Homeplate Cafe 256-825-0583

191 East South St., Dadeville, AL 36853

14

Business & Shopping 280

Waverly 50

90. Wayside Animal Hospital 256-329-9900

2630 Dadeville Rd., Alex City, Al 35010 4 Tallapoosa Ford 10 256-234-3432

1551 Hwy. 280, Alex City, Al 35010 5. Karen Channell State Farm Financial Services 11 256-234-3481

5030 Hwy. 280, Alex City, Al 35010

13

4. Patterson Air 12 256-825-8600 334-850-3500

8400 Kowaliga Road, Lake Martin

LEE COUNTY

13 4. Hodges Vineyards and Winery 256-896-4036

230 Lee Road 71, Camp Hill, AL 36850

Loachapoka

4. Artistic Teak Traders 14 256-896-1111 334-559-6625

1405 Old Hwy 280, Camp Hill, AL 36850

14

Notasulga 85

4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 15 256-234-2567

1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010 4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 16 334-541-2132

1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 4. Russell Building Supply 17 256-825-4256

350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 18 256-794-1333

111 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 . Dark Insurance 19 256-234-5026 www.darkinsuranceagency.com

410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 . McDaniels Storage Center 20 256-234-4583

1040 Highway 280, Alex City, AL 35010 . Kowaliga Whole Health & Pet Care Resort 21 334-857-1816

8610 Kowaliga Road, Eclectic, AL 36024 22 19 Eclectic Emporium & Antique Gifts 334-541-5060 124 Claude Road, Eclectic, AL 36024

Hotels & Lodges 34. Creekside Lodge & Conference and Event Center 23 256-307-1440

6993 Hwy. 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853 34. Cherokee Bend Bed & Breakfast 24 877-760-7854

5833 Hwy 22 E, Alex City, AL 35010

Churches 34. Red Ridge United Methodist Church 25 256-825-9820

8091 County Rd 34, Dadeville, AL 36853 34. Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 26 334-252-8618

2602 Gilmer Avenue, Tallassee, AL 36078

(12 miles South of Lake Martin)

Dock Builders 3. Lake Martin Dock Company, Inc 27 Marine Construction Contractor License #49146 334-857-2443

180 Birmingham Road, Eclectic, AL 36024

If you would like to advertise your business on our Lake Martin Region Map, for as little as $25 call 256-234-4281.

81

Lake Martin Living 69

70 Lake Martin Living

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY As seen on HGTV’s Lakefront Bargain Hunt – “Home Sweet Home, Lake Martin, AL”

www.

Selling Lake Martin .com R ealto

r of the Year!

Amy Clark Real Estate, Inc. @ LAKE MARTIN 256/749-3333 256/749-2102 ဣ ¡¥ ¬ ¡¥£ဤ

dB

Lawn Care Darrell Brooks, Owner Cutting •Edging Weed Eating •Mulch Weed Control

256.267.0518

Locally Owned & Operated By Jeff Rothstein

3724 Pepperell Pkwy.

Opelika, AL (Old Midway Plaza)

(334) 364-0174 Serving Lee, Tallapoosa, Elmore, Macon & Coosa Counties

To Advertise in the Business Directory section of Lake Martin Living please contact one of our Sales Representatives @ 256-234-4281 Lake Martin Living 71

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

ALEXANDER CITY

Alex City Marine Aliant Bank American Inn Anytime Fitness Baymont Inn BB&T Big B Bar-B-Que Campus of CACC Carlisle's Carlos Mexican Grill Catherine’s Market Chamber Of Commerce Cherokee Quick stop Citgo Cloud Nine Collegiate Deli Comfort Inn Dark Insurance Darwin Dobbs Days Inn Discount Food Mart El Rancho Grande Emporium Wine Grace’s Flowers Hampton Inn Holley’s Home Furnishings Hometown Pharmacy Jackson Drugs Jake’s JR’s Sports Bar & Grill Koon’s Korner Koon’s Korner II Lake Martin Building Supply Lakewinds Golf Club Larry’s General Store

72 Lake Martin Living

Little Black Dress Longleaf Antiques Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast Queen’s Attic Regions Bank Ridge - Clubhouse Ridge - Marina River North Marina Riverbend Store Russell Home Décor Russell Medical Center Russell Lands Russell Retail Store Satterfield, Inc Senior Nutrition~50+ Center Sho’ Nuff Restaurant Springhouse Restaurant T.C. Russell Airport Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc The Medicine Shoppe The Sure Shot Willow Point Country Club Wind Creek - entrance Wind Creek - store Winn Dixie 280 BP 280 Exxon

DADEVILLE

American Motorsports Aliant Bank Bay Pine Marina City Hall

Chamber of Commerce Chuck's Marina Dadeville Wellness Center Foodland Foshee Boat Dock Homeplate Restaurant Harbor Pointe Marina Lakay’s Flowers & Gifts Lake Martin Flowers & Gifts Lake Martin Community Hospital Lakeshore Discount Pharmacy Lakeside Marina Niffer's At The Lake Oskar's Cafe Payne Furniture Pearson’s Furniture Poplar Dawgs Public Library Pug's Place PNC Bank Russell Building Supply Shell Station Sigger’s Stillwaters Country Club Store 34

ECLECTIC

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

Peoples Bank

EQUALITY

Equality Food Mart Real Island Marina Southern Star

KELLYTON

Five Star Plantation

RED HILL Citgo

TALLASSEE

Community Hospital Chamber of Commerce The Tallassee Tribune

WALNUT HILL

Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Grocery

WETUMPKA

The Wetumpka Herald A limited number of magazines are available at these locations. To be sure a copy is reserved for you, call David Kendrick at 256-2344281 to start your subscription.

AD INDEX 1st Insurance................................................. 8 A&M Plumbing.............................................. 6 Above & Beyond Cleaning & Concierge............... 70 Alabama Power................................................... 67 Alex City Taxi & Shuttle................................ 71 Amy Clark Real Estate.................................. 71 Artistic Teak Traders..................................... 53 Auburn Dental Spa...................................... 74 Birchfield Farms........................................... 36 Bob Alexander Landscaping......................... 36 Brown Nursing Home.................................. 73 Buck's Dairy Quick....................................... 26 Buck's Island................................................ 25 C&C Wood Products...................................... 8 Carlisle Gifts & Soda Fountain...................... 21 Central Alabama Community College.......... 31 Cloud Nine............................................ 21, 53 Com-Link, Inc................................................ 8 Cutwater Marine......................................... 56 DAVCO Development.................................. 71 DB Lawn Care.............................................. 71 Deerfield Venue........................................... 53 Designs by Trish............................................. 6 East Alabama Medical Center...................... 73 Emporium Wine........................................... 21 Four Seasons Irrigation................................. 71 George Hardy, D.M.D.................................... 6 Hackneyville Volunteer Fire Dept.................... 2 Harold Cochran, State Farm Insurance..............71 Holley's Home Furnishings................................55 Interscapes........................................................37 Jake's................................................................21 Jan & David Hall, Lake Martin Realty.................53 Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art.............. 63 Karen Channell, State Farm Insurance.....................71 Kelly’s Heating & Air.................................... 71

Lagasse Construction Inc............................. 70 Lake Martin Community Hospital................. 27 Lake Martin Dock.................................... 5, 71 Lakeside Concierge...................................... 71 Lakeshore Discount Pharmacy...................... 66 Lex Wedgeworth......................................... 42 Little Black Dress.......................................... 21 Mainstreet................................................... 21 Mark King's Furniture............................ 37, 56 Millstone Nursery........................................... 6 Movie Rack.................................................. 26 MT Cleaning Service.................................... 55 Music Depot................................................ 71 Nail's........................................................... 56 Nathan and Claire........................................ 21 Offshore Marine.......................................... 33 Patrick Mahaney.......................................... 26

Patterson Air................................................ 47 Playhouse Cinemas...................................... 26 Radney Funeral Home.................................. 36 Red Flag Pest Control.................................... 6 Reinhardt Lexus........................................... 25 River Bank & Trust........................................ 75 Russell Lands............................................... 43 Russell Medical Center................................. 76 Satterfield, Inc.............................................. 5 Sears............................................................ 71 Southern Sash............................................. 26 Special Arrangements.................................. 36 Tallassee Community Hospital...................... 70 Thomas Self Storage...................................... 5 Trinity Custom Homes.................................. 28 Ware Jewelers................................................ 3 Who's Diner................................................ 26

Lake Martin Living 73

MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL

D

“Dad bod” not bad, after all The Last Word

If a “Dad bod” were a towel, it would be the bath id you know that when human beings mat at a bachelor’s apartment that had not been look at themselves in the mirror, they find replaced in a week. Yes, technically it is still a towel, themselves to be 56 percent more attractive but it has seen a lot of traffic, and it smells a little off. than they actually are? Of course, you didn’t. There’s In other words, my better days were obviously and no way you knew that, because I just made it up; officially behind me. however, we all do consider ourselves much hotter Days later, however, a ray of sunshine beamed than we really are. I believe that to be a fact, and I down on my widow’s peak. I saw yet another think I read it online somewhere (so it must be true). article, this time via Twitter. It detailed how “Dad Recently, though, I was looking through my bods” are now the hit thing among women – iPhone to determine which pictures to delete, so young and old alike. the memory would have enough room for the new Could it be? Could the opposite sex actually Arianna Grande song (quit judging me). To say I Luke Robinson be digging pudgy over pumped? I was certainly was astounded by my own unattractiveness would skeptical. be the understatement of the month.

Luckily, the column came complete with a picture I literally asked myself, “Who is that lanky guy of college-aged kids with their own “Dad bods.” These guys with the surprising double chins walking next to my wife?” definitely weren’t the CrossFitting, kickboxing, and jump-jacking Then I realized it was me. Dang. turbo-hunks Hollywood demands. In fact, when it came to their So I decided to examine myself through photos further. Not abs, they looked less like they were on their way to having sixin a weird, medical way though; I just looked at candid shots packs and more on their way to funneling some. of myself that other folks had taken to determine how bad this Granted, the young men pictured didn’t have the worn-andsituation really was. I have always been a little self-conscious torn looks on their faces that 42 years on this planet has given about my overall appearance, but my self-review topped my mine, but still; moderate chunkiness being “in” is a win in this worst fears.

My hairline is deceptively receding. My abnormally long torso Dad’s book.

So when you see me and my army of “Dad bods” littered is doing a poor job masking my new pudgy belly. My legs – oh, my legs! – are simply mangy stilts barely capable of balancing my about the area this summer, don’t turn away from us in disgust, as you have in the past. Embrace us. Love us. Soak in our disproportionate upper half.

I noticed all of these faults as I sat in my kitchen in my boxers Rubenesque frames with delight. Don’t question if that noise was one of our stomachs growling or something much, much worse. and stained white undershirt drinking a hot green tea made in For we are the hot, new way to be attractive, and (unless you my Keurig. Then it hit me: I am a dad, and I have a “Dad bod!” put a stack of donuts in our way) we will not be stopped!

You know what a “Dad bod” is. A moderately doughy outer shell filled with random, uncontrollable digestive sounds. It has ~ Luke Robinson is an Alexander City native who also writes a hair where it isn’t supposed to have hair and no hair where there weekly sports column for The Alexander City Outlook. once was.

74 Lake Martin Living

INVESTED in our

COMMUNITY.

NMLS 520213

Abby Guy has made the move to River Bank.

From her early days in grade school to her local leadership in board rooms, Abby has been a familiar face in Alex City her whole life. Now, she’s bringing her energy and knowledge to River Bank & Trust as Sr. Vice President. You can count on her to be a trusted relationship manager, truly invested in her clients’ financial needs and the community.

S E R V I C E

U N S

D E E P

RIVER B AN KAND T R U S T . C OM

Now in Alexander City 1120 Airport Drive, Suite 201 256.329.0500

MONTGOMERY

P R AT T V I L L E

WETUMPKA

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

Lake Martin Living 75

76 Lake Martin Living