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INSIDE:

n Obituaries, page 2 n Power Hour at the Boys & Girls Club, page 3 nBRHS grapplers lose season opener, page 12 Today’s

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Weekend FOR SUBSCRIBERS: LAKE MAGAZINE INSIDE!

The Outlook

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

December 3-4, 2016 • Vol. 124 • No. 243 • www.alexcityoutlook.com

Council to consider major projects By MITCH SNEED Editor

Low

Weather This weekend, expect a cloudy welcome to some much needed rain. The 40% chance of rain Saturday increases into sunday with a 90% chance into Sunday.

Action that will help start the ball rolling on two key downtown projects in on the agenda for Monday night’s meeting of the by Alexander City City Council. The council is expected to consider a resolution allowing the mayor to seek a grant under the Alabama Department of Transportation’s 2017 Transportation Alternative Program that would help fund

reconstruction and installation of sidewalks and other streetscape features along Alabama Street, State Street and Tallapoosa Street. The TAP grants typically provide up to 80 percent of the funding, while the city would provide a 20 percent match and pick up the entire expense of engineering for the project. “The idea is to help with the streetscapes leading up to the area around Hamp Lyon Stadium where the Revamp the

Hamp project is in the advanced planning stages,” said Alexander City Community Development Director Randy Thomas. “With the Broad Street project finishing up, this is the next logical step to have some uniformity all across the downtown area.” Washington and Lee streets are due to begin paving next spring using funds from the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program. Monday, the council will also consider See COUNCIL • Page 7

Burglars hit several storage warehouses

Local Briefs HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE: Rain may force the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce Hometown Christmas Parade to be rescheduled. “We are going to be evaluating the weather and radar over the weekend and Monday,” Chamber President Ed Collari said. “We will make the call as early as possible Monday.” Monday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. will be the new date for the parade if it is rescheduled. The National Weather Service is predicting an 80 percent chance of rain at 4 p.m. and increasing to an 82 percent chance by 6 p.m. Monday. CHRISTMAS CANTATA: Red Ridge United Methodist Church will present its Christmas cantata “Christmas Music” at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 under the direction of Dr. Kim Walls. The choir composed of church members will sing some of their old favorite selections accompanied by a full orchestra composed of professional, amateur and student musicians from the local area. Featured vocalists will be H.D Price, Toni and Phil Adcock, Diane Miller, P. J. Armour and Susan Grace. Dramatization will feature the Manager Scene, the 3 Wise Men, The Angel Gabriel and the Shepherd Boy. Refreshments and coffee will be served following the concert. Make your plans to attend. Red Ridge is located at 8091 County Road 34, Dadeville, 256-825-9820, redridgeumc.org

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Police investigating overnight incidents where locks were cut By MITCH SNEED Editor

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Alexander City Community Development Director Randy Thomas poses for a picture at Bill Nichols Veterans Home. Thomas said that is one of the projects he is most proud of. The city has hired Al Jones to replace Thomas

Changing of the guard Community Development Director Randy Thomas to retire By MITCH SNEED Editor

vA man who has served 11 city councils and seven mayors, while bringing millions to the city through grants and other funding sources is wrapping up his career and will retire at the end of the year. Alexander City’s Director of Community Development Randy Thomas will retire Dec. 30, leaving a legacy that can be seen no matter where you look around town. “I’ve been talking about retiring for a few years,” Thomas said. “But I’ve been here 40 years and it’s time. I feel like the city has accomplished a lot of good things over the years and I’m proud to have played a part in some of those

things. My last day on the payroll is Dec. 30, but I’ll never be too far away if they ever need me.” To create a list of all the projects that Thomas has found ways to make happen would be a tall task. He became known statewide as a person who knew how to navigate both federal and state sources and programs for funding to solve problems in Alexander City. He talks with pride about things like the roundabout, streetscape projects, several airport expansions, the Sportplex and the senior center to mention a few. But the one that he said is probably the most memorable is the Bill Nichols Veterans Home. “Bill Nichols was the state’s first veterans home,” Thomas said. “Mayor Charles Bailey See THOMAS • Page 7

A number of storage warehouses were burglarized in Alexander City and law enforcement officials are seeking help from the public in finding the responsible party. Alexander City Police Chief Willie Robinson said that 14 units at storage warehouses at Vision Landscaping have been burglarized. Robinson said two units at another area facility were also unlawfully entered some time in the last 24 hours. “The report indicates that someone appears to have cut the locks of a number of units and took property from inside the units,” Robinson said. “Our investigators are working the case, collecting See BURGLARS • Page 7

Prank becomes arson at Horseshoe Jingle Jump set for next Saturday Bend School By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

Camp ASCCA is hosting its second annual Jingle Jump a week from today where people raise funds to jump into the cold pool at the camp. “This is our largest fundraiser,” Camp ASCCA’s Dana Rickman. “Last year was wildly successful. We raised over $40,000 last year. It was beyond expectations.” This year is shaping up to be just as good. “We already have 37 teams signed up,” Rickman said. “They have to raise at least one campership. That is $725. Those 37 teams have a total of 58 people.” The second weekend of December is special at Camp ASCCA this year not only because of the Jingle Jump but because the camp is hosting campCliff Williams / The Outlook ers. Camp ASCCA’s Matt Rickman takes part in last year’s “We are having the Jingle Jump during our Jingle Jump that raised more than $40,000 for campSee JINGLE • Page 7 ers to attend the special camp. +

School officials and investigators with the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department looking into a small fire inside a bathroom at Horseshoe Bend School that apparently started as a prank. “Someone started a fire, apparently lighting some tissue on fire,” Horseshoe Bend Principal James Aulner said. “The fire alarm went off and we evacuated the building. We came back inside quickly afterwards. “No one was injured. There was only minor damage and the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department is investigating. It’s Friday afternoon. Unfortunately it appears a prank got way out of See FIRE • Page 7

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Page 2

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Teen’s pursuit of crush could do more harm than good

Sunday

55 50 High

Low

90 percent chance of showers

Monday

64 56 Low

High

80 percent chance of showers

Staff

Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Lonna Upton Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 lonna.upton@alexcityoutlook.com Cathy Higgins Sports Editor, Ext. 228 cathy.higgins@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com

Weekend Edition, December 3-4, 2016

The Outlook

David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Donna Jones Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 donna.jones@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Advertising Sales, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Tabby Edwards Advertising Sales, Ext. 232 tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Audra Spears Composing Department, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Asst. Circulation Manager, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com

DEAR ABBY: I am 14 and a freshman in high school. I’m not allowed to date (my mother’s rule), but I really like a boy. I think of him all the time. Thankfully, I’m his friend, but he already has a girlfriend. It hurts me to keep my feelings secret, and that he’s happy with another girl. I don’t want to ruin his relationship, but it sometimes crosses my mind even though I know it’s wrong. Can you please tell me how to deal with this? I want to be his friend, but if I could, I would love to be more than friends. -- FRIEND ZONED DEAR FRIEND ZONED: I know it isn’t easy, but your best bet would be to stand pat and make no announcements for now. Because your mother feels you aren’t ready to date, imagine how restrictive she’ll become if she knows you may be influencing this boy to break up with his girlfriend. And furthermore, if word

DEAR ABBY Advice

got around your school that you’re the kind of girl who would deliberately cause a breakup, your reputation would be trashed. Be patient and bide your time, and the future will take care of itself. DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married 25 years. We have never had children together, but he has a daughter from a previous marriage. “Bridget” has blessed us with three grandchildren. We get along great, and she has been a wonderful daughter and stepdaughter. I acknowledge all their birthdays by sending a card

and check each year. Bridget always gets her father a gift and card for his birthday. She’s also very close to her mother. My problem is, Bridget has never acknowledged my birthday with a card or even a phone call. She has never asked, “When is your birthday?” when we are discussing birthdays. I once even hinted that mine falls in between two of the grandkids’ birthdays. Am I wrong to feel hurt for never having been acknowledged after 25 years, or should I just let it go? -- SAD STEPMOM IN MICHIGAN DEAR STEPMOM: After a quarter of a century, I think it’s time to let it go. The time to have mentioned it was years ago, and the person who should have said something to Bridget was her father. DEAR ABBY: Our daughter got married recently and we discovered dear friends were

left off the guest list. We are so upset I have lost sleep over it. How do we make amends? We would never have hurt them like this deliberately. -- UPSET MOTHER OF THE BRIDE DEAR UPSET MOTHER: If your dear friends live far away, pick up the phone and apologize. If they live close by, arrange to meet for lunch or dinner and offer the apology in person. Weddings are often stressful for those who are planning them. Mistakes like this are regrettable, but not uncommon. If these are true friends, they will understand and forgive the oversight. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

AREA SCHOOLS WHITEBOARD Monday, Dec. 5

• Radney Elementary will have vision screenings for students Monday and Tuesday.

Tuesday, Dec. 6

• The BRHS Choral Department will present its annual Christmas Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. in the BRHS Auditorium. The Concert will feature holiday favorites and will showcase the BRHS Concert Choir, Show Choir, and Gospel Choir. Doors open at 6:30, and canned goods will be collected at the door to help the area food banks.

Thursday Dec. 8

• The Benjamin Russell High School Band will hold its annual Christmas Concert from 5 to 9 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. The public is invited to attend.

Tuesday, Dec. 13

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, printing press. Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. © 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Repro-

Postal

Information

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.

How to Submit Obituaries

duction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.

Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by e-mail at obits@alexcityoutlook.com For more information, call (256) 234-4281.

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• Jim Pearson Elementary School will hold its Kindergarten Christmas Concert. The music will begin promptly at 6 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 16 • Alexander City Middle School will hold a talent show at 10 a.m. • Radney Elementary School will hold its annual Reindeer Games and Dress Tacky Day.

Holiday Break

• Alexander City Schools will have early dismissal on Friday, Dec. 16 to begin the Christmas Holiday break. Schools will be closed until Jan. 4 when they reopen at regularly scheduled times.

**The area schools whiteboard is a new feature in the Alexander CIty Outlook. School personnel: Please email your school calendar events to editor@alexcityoutlook.com to have them featured here each day.

Obituaries Ms. Rita Hawkins Kennedy 1951-2016 Rita Hawkins Kennedy, of Alexander City, Alabama, passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2016. She was born October 2, 1951. Rita was a devoted mother and friend to many. She is survived by Thomas Gilliland, her two sons, Chris (Dilanda) residing in Eddy, Texas and Matthew residing in Alex City. She also has one brother Randy Hawkins (Virginia) resid-

ing in Alex City. She has 4 grandchildren residing in Eddy, Texas; Jordan, Justin, Jacob and Joshua. She also leaves many cousins and friends in various cities and states. She is preceded in death by her parents, Joe B and Elizabeth Thornell Hawkins. After graduating from Benjamin Russell High School, Rita attended Alex City Jr. College where she attained her associate degree in Business. In 1979 she began her employment with Russell Corporation and after achieving progres-

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sively responsible milestones, became a Sales Supervisor for the Jerzees art wear division at Russell. She remained there until the Sales function was transferred to Bowling Green in 2009. Rita was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Alexander City, holding a leadership role as a church Elder. She was always very thoughtful and attentive to those close to her. The family would like to express deep gratitude to Rita’s caregivers at The UAB Medicine Russell Medical Cancer Center in Alexander City. Both, her Medical Oncologist, Dr. Mary Emily Sheffield, and her Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Ravinder Clayton, were especially attentive and helpful, along with the Infusion Nurses and radiation Therapists. Alacare provided excellent hospice care

for Rita. There are many friends whom all cannot be mentioned here, but both Yvonne P. Funderburk and Linda M. Noel visited Rita and her family almost daily during her last days. Managed by Radney Funeral Home, a graveside memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 11:00 a.m., Hillview Memorial Park. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be held at The First Presbyterian Church in Alexander City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 96, Alexander City, AL 35011. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome. com.

Mrs. Ann Causey Wilson 1928 - 2016

at 2:30 p.m. at the Hillview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 4, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome. com.

Graveside service for Mrs. Ann Causey Wilson, 88, of Birmingham, will be Sunday, December 4, 2016

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Mrs. Bettye T. Odem Mrs. Bettye T. Odem 70 of Goodwater, AL died on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at Grandview Medical Center, Birmingham, AL. Armour’s Memorial Services in charge.

Mr. Willie Omar Rashad Goggans Mr. Willie Omar Rashad Goggans of Alexander City, AL died at Cooper Green Hospital, Birmingham, AL Armour’s Memorial Services in charge.

Weekend Edition, December 3-4, 2016

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Page 3

POWER HOUR AT THE SEARCY UNIT

Volunteers and donors gather to help local students with after school work at the Searcy Unit of the Boys and Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area. Top, Boys and Girls Club staff member Ola Nix gives a mock spelling test during Power Hour at the Searcy Unit of the Boys and Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area. Right, Annie Brooks helps Kendell Greer with homework as Collin Funderburk looks on. Bottom left, Brooklyn Cottingham does homework. Bottom right, members of the Searcy Unit of the Boys and Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area United Way pose for a photograph with staff and staff of the Lake Martin Area Realty Association. The association has made several donations to the Boys and Girls Club that has allowed the purchase of school supplies for the after school program.

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Opinion Outlook The

Our

Opinion

Christmas parade is a must see event

e encourage local residents often to get out and enjoy many of the activities different groups have planned in our community. One of the best events that occurs annually in our area is scheduled here in Alexander City Monday night as the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce hosts the Hometown Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. We may say it a lot, but don’t miss out on this parade. The theme for this year’s parade is Christmas Carols. “We try to pick a theme that everyone will enjoy,” the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce’s Kim Dunn said. “We think that the Christmas Carol theme will draw both the religious and non secular groups.” The theme choice has drawn some new participants to the parade and the parade is shaping up to be as large or larger than in years past. This year’s parade will follow a familiar route, with staging of floats and the line up starting on Comer Street. The parade will progress up Cherokee Road to Church Street, then make a turn down Tallapoosa Street to the end near Strand Park. There are just certain traditions and things that make a city special and unique. In Alexander City we have July 4th Fireworks over Lake Martin, the pimento cheese from Carlisle’s, the Friday night Jazz Fest concert at Strand Park and the Hometown Christmas Parade. Those are things that you just have to do when you are in Alexander City. Whether you are in the Christmas mood or not, this is an event that everyone will be talking about Tuesday and all week. So come out Monday night at 6 p.m. and stand shoulder to shoulder with your friends and neighbors along the route and see the bands, the floats and the sights and sounds of Christmas. Bring your family and friends. You may just make memories that will stick with you for a lifetime.

Know Your

MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213 editor@alexcityoutlook.com

Weekend Edition, December 3-4, 2016

www.alexcityoutlook.com

FRIENDLY LESSON: Giving is the greatest gift

have been blessed with some incredible friends who have come into my life. I have friends that I have known since grade school and neighbors who have become life-long friends. There are also the kind of friends that I met through work who became much, much more than a source for a story. That is exactly what Rodney Elrod is. Rodney owns Super Quick Towing and Recovery in Douglasville, Georgia and I met him after hearing that he felt so sorry for an elderly man who had totaled his car in an accident that he was repairing it and getting ready to give it back to the man as good as new. I went over to see the reveal and watch as the old man was moved to tears as Rodney handed over the keys and title to that old Ford Crown Victoria back to him. He did it all at no charge, simply because he knew how much his late wife’s car meant to him. That’s the kind of guy Rodney is. But as I see houses being decorated as Christmas is on the way, I always think of Rodney. He loves Christmas so much that he decorated his house with every inflatable known to exist, enough lights to have his yard mistaken for a landing strip at the airport and then invited the entire town to come out and sit on Santa’s lap, drink homemade hot chocolate and hear carolers sing Christmas songs. Hundreds showed up. As an illustration of what kind of heart Elrod has, he also let me be a part of one of the coolest examples of Christmas giving that you can imagine. After hearing a story

MITCH SNEED Editor

about a young woman who was working hard at two jobs, going to school and trying her best to get ahead without the benefit of transportation, Elrod decided to help. He was able to transform a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix that had been abandoned after it was in an accident into a dream car for the young lady. “You hear a lot of stories, but when someone is trying so hard, those are the kind of people you want to help,” Elrod said. “She had saved up a little money and was trying to find something, but when I heard that I said I know we can do something.” Elrod had one of his drivers Josh Cochran load the car that Frankie Bell had worked to get back in shape on his rollback wrecker. Cochran drove to Lott’s home and set up just down the street from her house, while they knocked on her door. That’s when a reveal that Ty Pennington would have applauded or one Oprah Winfrey would have pulled off back in the day. “They said that they knew I had been hoping and praying for something good to happen and that I needed a way to get to school and work so let’s just pray for something good to happen,” the woman said. “Then I looked up and saw the flashing lights and the truck and I couldn’t believe it.” Taken totally by surprise, an overwhelmed young lady let the tears of joy flow.

“I just can’t believe that someone I had never even met would do something like this for me,” she said. Elrod downplayed what he did, just saying he was glad she would get good use out of it. It hasn’t been proven by cardiologists, but Elrod may have one of the biggest hearts of anyone I have ever met. I can’t count the number of times he has helped me, my family and just random people who were in a pinch. He even held a benefit concert one year at Christmas to raise money for toys for a local civic club. He rented the venue, had his friends Ronnie McDowell and T. Graham Brown come down and do a show. He gave every penny made to charity. “It’s Christmas time and no kid should be without something under the tree,” Elrod said. His wife Carolyn said he loves Christmas and loves to help people. “If his wallet was a big as his heart there is no telling what all he would do,” she said. “One year he said ‘instead of you and me buying each other stuff why don’t we go out and buy Christmas for some kids who need it.’ So that’s what we did. You know we had more fun doing that than any gift we would have gotten. That’s the way he is.” I have learned so much from Rodney, but most of all I think that he has shown me that helping others and giving can be the greatest gift of all. That’s a perfect lesson to remember this time of year. Mitch Sneed is the editor of the newspapers of Tallapoosa Publishers.

Officials

Jim Nabors is mayor of Alexander City. His phone number at city hall is 256-329-6701 and his home number is 256329-1320 His address at city hall is 4 Court Square; Alexander City, AL, 35010. His home address is 1695 Magnolia Street Alexander City, AL, 35010.

The top 10 comedic news stories of 2016

Jim Nabors

Bobby Tapley represents District 1. His phone number is 256329-9671. His address is 1821 LaVista Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Safety committee.

Buffy Colvin represents District 2. Her phone number is 256-750-0663. Her address is 786 I Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Buildings and Property committee. Scott Hardy represents District 3. His phone number is 256-4962450. His address is 549 Sleepy Hollow Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee. Eric Brown represents District 4. His phone number is 256-3972011. His address is 1421 Parrish Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Works committee.

Bobby Tapley

Buffy Colvin

Scott Hardy

Eric Brown

Tommy Spraggins represents District 5. His phone number is 256-329-7111. His address is 1539 College Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Finance committee.

Tommy Spraggins

Tim Funderburk represents District 6. His phone number is 256-825-2993. His address is 1431 River Oaks, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Utilities committee.

Tim Funderburk

t’s the first week of December, and all over the nation children dance while grandparents twitch with anticipation. Which, admittedly, isn’t that out of the ordinary. During this festive season rife with traditions, none is more hal-lowed than that magical moment when the Top Ten Comedic News Stories of the year are unveiled. Truly this is the most wonderful time of the year. Please be advised that the Top Ten Comedic News Stories of 2016 are not in any way, shape or form to be confused with the Top Ten Legitimate News Stories of 2016. No. No. No. They are as different as cute kitten videos and stainless steel collar stays. Petroleum jelly and the cobblestones outside 10 Downing Street. Corn chowder and Mi-chelangelo’s David. Trope and tripe. Sure, the year was littered with serious misadventures involving terrorism, deadly viruses, the Kardashians and all sorts of other natural disasters, including, but not limited to: Zika infested Oregon Militia Occupiers in driverless cars being forced to platform dive into Flint, Michigan tap water while Ryan Lochte threw Brazilian gas station bathroom keys at them. But here at Durstco we try to concentrate more on the lighter side of the vast dark spooky chasms of

WILL DURST Columnist

reality. So here they are, the stories from the first eleven- twelfths of 2016 that most lent themselves to the humorous, amus-ing and comedic. 10. Fidel Castro finally dies but at least was able to hang around long enough to see the beginning of the end of American Democracy. 9. The GOP Primaries, an eight- month long circus that featured 16 different novelty acts pummeled into submission by a lion tamer who used whips and chains and insults variously questioning their energy, heritage, wife’s attractiveness and size of their genitals. 8. Brexit. Turns out most Brits consider “xenophobe” to be a musical instrument. 7. The Chicago Cubs win the World Series, which by many has been taken as a sign that the end of the world is near. Some historians claim Nostradamus predicted this would immediately precede the Apocalypse. 6. Bob Dylan wins Nobel Prize for Literature. And next year, Stockholm is going to give the Peace Prize to Paris Hilton for her delightful tweets.

5. Melania Trump’s GOP Convention speech. Every time Michele Obama talks now, the world waits for Melania’s spin on it. 4. Hillary Clinton’s email problems. Claimed she was only following precedents set by other Secretary of States. And she’s right. In 1790, Thomas Jefferson had server problems as well. The difference wasJefferson’s server was pregnant. 3. Bernie Sanders. Who almost beat Hillary Clinton and came close to debating Donald Trump. Would have been fun to see the Vermont Senator chew up the New York Real Estate Developer but then be forced to spit him out to due to religious dietary laws. 2. The Galaxy Note 7, which was promoted as being water resistant. What they didn’t bother to mention was that underwater was the safest place to use the thing. 1. Donald Trump. Bombastic, brutish, boorish, blustering, barbarous, bungling bully wins US Presidential election with a little help from his friends: the FBI, Vladimir Putin, the mob, fake news sites, Anthony Wiener, Bill Clinton, Rosie O’Donnell, white supremacists and Alec Baldwin. ——Will Durst is a syndicated columnist distributed by CagleCartoons.

Today’s

Quote

“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” – Joseph Campbell

Today’s

Scripture “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! his faithful love endures forever. – Psalm 118:1

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Daily Poll Friday’s question:Do your children still believe in Santa Claus?

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The subscription rate is $136.00 per year in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties and $177.99 outside the area. Periodicals paid at Alexander City, AL. Newspapers are available at 100 news racks in our area at 50 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. Call David at (256) 234-4281, Ext. 204 or e-mail david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com to subscribe.

What’s your

Opinion?

We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the greater Lake Martin community. It’s free and it only takes a few moments of your time. We have two ways to get your opinion in print: letters to the editor and guest columns. The main difference is length. Letters to the editor are up to 250 words, while guest columns can be up to 500 words. Letters and columns may be sent to P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011, faxed to (256) 234-6550 or e-mailed to editor@alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send us your thoughts today!

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Weekend Edition, December 3-4, 2016

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Page 5

Shop Local • Eat Local • Spend Local • WIN Local By shopping & doing business locally, you are supporting the businesses who support your schools, community & home! 120 Tallapoosa Street • Alexander City, AL 35010 • 256.234.3461 www.alexandercitychamber.com BANK & CREDIT UNION FINANCING WITH APPROVAL.

DARWIN DOBBS COMPANY 814 Cherokee Road • Alexander City 256-234-3435 or 1-888-280-5522 See all our vehicles at our website

www.darwindobbs.co

ORDER ONLINE Earn FREE PIZZA with Papa Rewards @ PAPAJOHNS.COM 2064 Cherokee Road • Alexander City, AL L

(256) 409-7272

Merry Christmas Tallapoosa County!

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc is excited to announce we’re bringing back

Santa’s Grand Cash Giveaway* Over the next six weeks we’ll be giving away up to $1,250 cash to

SIX LUCKY READERS!

Week #1: $50 • Week #2: $100 • Week #3: $150 Week #4: $200 • Week #5 250 • Week #6 500

Merry Christmas!

S U P E R

(Entries must match the form corresponding to each week’s drawing and will be noted accordingly.)

Winners will be notified weekly.

256-392-4417 256-307-9331 15 Main Street Alexander City, AL

To enter, drop off one entry form per person, per participating business each week. That means you can have up to14 entries every week to increase your odds. Entry forms must be original newsprint and you can only submit one form at each business.

Laura Yoder, Owner

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LAKE MARTIN GARAGE TOWING, TIRES & MUFFLER

256.825.6139

Best of luck to our readers, and while you’re out submitting entries each week, shop around your hometown businesses. Christmas is right around the corner and what better way to shop for family than with your neighbors. Approximately 45% of money spent at home stays at home to support local schools, community improvements and economic growth. Local dollars make local sense! The Fine Print: *only one winner per household *TPI employees and immediate family are not eligible to win. *must be 18 years of age or older and a legal resident of the United States *no reproduced or copied entries will be accepted. Only original newsprint entries eligible. *all taxes are sole responsibility of winner *TPI reserves the right to disqualify any person from participation who compromises or gives the appearance of compromising the contest. *winners must claim prize at the Tallapoosa Publishers office on Cherokee Road by 4:00 pm within two days of being notified. *winners must present photo ID to claim prize

Santa’s Grand Cash Giveaway Entry Form - Week 3 Please print clearly.

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Signature: Drop this entry form off at any of the participating businesses on this page

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Private ro oms available for your Christmas Party: 10-8 10-80 0 people

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1551 Hwy. 280, Alexander City, AL

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Merry Christmas from the Big B Family!!

Page 6

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Weekend Edition, December 3-4, 2016

The Outlook

In Community, We Share Tallapoosa County Devotional Page

SECURITY Grace’s Flowers and Gifts PEST CONTROL

652 Cherokee Road • Alexander City

OUR TOWN GARAGE

“Since 1962”

Flowers with the Extra Touch!

951 Hillabee • Alexander City • 256-234-4238 256-329-1018 THOMAS AUTO PARTS

61 Jefferson Street • Alexander City Phone: 256-234-3454

God uses common people for good

• Automotive Parts • Machine Shop Services • Paint & Body Supplies • Hydraulic Hose Assemblies

AUTO PARTS

150 Green Street • Alexander City • 256.234.5023 157 E. South Street • Dadeville • 256.825.4155

4004 U.S. Hwy. 431 Anniston, AL p: 256-820-8000 f: 256-820-3442

Website:www.claytonhomesanniston.com Email: john.slaughter@claytonhomes.com

Since 1976

256-357-9233 www.Àooringwholesale.com

for a King. And, that he question was whispered-about woman asked, “Does at the Well...she brought a God use simple, whole town to Jesus! Yes, common folks like us God still uses simple, comto change the World?” mon folks...just like you Well, let’s stop and and me!” (Quote by Max think about that for a Lucado) Their purpose moment. Think about in life was to change the you and me. Did we world! They didn’t know think, in our life, that Carol Page that until God’s plan went we would ever accomGood News into action and their lives plish what God had Baptist Church were used for His Glory! planned for us? The Word says, “God I’m sure our first thoughts would be that we weren’t is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always havworthy enough, or that we didn’t ing all sufficiency, in all things, have the ability or qualifications. may have an abundance for every And, then we would question how we would even know that God had good work!” (2 Cor.9:8) God says a perfect plan for our lives! To me, we have “all sufficiency”, in “all things” for “everything” He has that’s one of the wonderful mysteries of God...He knew us before, planned for us. My friends, there He knows us now...and He can use is nothing we cannot do with Christ living in and through us! “anyone” for His Glory! So, as you go about your day, We’re going to take a minute remember...God can change the and look at just a few common people during the Bible times, and world with people like you and how they were used to accomplish me! And the beautiful story continues because He always has a the purpose God had planned for ‘perfect plan’! Love you and be them. “Look at some of the Joe’s Blessed!!! and Josephine’s God has used. A Page is a member of the Good common fisherman who became News Baptist Church. the ‘rock’ of his church. A shepherd ‘boy’ God chose This devotional and directory made possible by these businesses who encourage all of us to attend worship services!

Ourtown, Alabama

256-329-8306 734 Airport Drive Alexander City, AL

(256) 493-4573

A C

Compliments of Mayor Jim Nabors and City Employees

ALEXANDER CITY HOME OF LAKE MARTIN

Fun Carts of Opelika Put a little more fun in your life! 618 Lee Road 113•Opelika, AL

334-745-0660 wwwfuncarts.net

DRIVERS NEEDED

J&M

TANK LINES, INC. jmtankjobs.com or call Jeff Sandlin @ 256-245-3933

Church Directory

Rehab • Long-Term Care • Assisted Living 3701 Dadeville Road Alexander City

256-234-6366

D IANNE NALER CPA, PC

Income Tax • Payroll • Bookkeeping • Consulting 454 CHURCH STREET ALEXANDER CITY, AL

E-FILE

24-HR. CHECKS

( 256 ) 409-1120

A.M.E. Saint James A.M.E. Goodwater, 256-839-1007 St. John A.M.E. Off Hwy. 280 on Hwy. 9 Socopatoy, (256) 215-3532 ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Cedar Street Church of God 703 E. Boulevard, Alex City Faith Assembly of God 590 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Dadeville 256-825-7741 River of Life Worship Center 407 Hillabee St., Alex City, 256-329-9593 INDEPENDENT BAPTIST Liberty Baptist 1365 Hillabee St., Alex City 256-329-8830 New Life Baptist County Road 14, Alex City, 256-329-2635 Victory Baptist 280 By-Pass, Alex City West End Baptist Off 280 West, 256-234-2130

For All Your Pet Healthcare Needs Susan A. Martin, MS DVM 2630 Dadeville Rd., Alexander City (256) 329-9900

1326 Dadeville Road Alexander City, AL

256-234-2511 1-800-285-3881

Member by Invitation Selected Independent Funeral Homes www.radneyfuneralhome.com

Lake Martin Automotive & Truck Center Buy Here – Pay Here! Payments start at $199 mo. 2888 Dadeville Road • Alexander City

(256) 212-1300 • Updated Pro Shop • Junior Golf Program • Annual Tournaments • Weekly Matches 18 Holes of Golf - 7 Days a Week

256-825-9860 95 County Rd. 40 (Off Hwy. 280)

IVER

S E R V I C E

U N S

D E E P

256-329-0500 www.riverbankandtrust.com

Mountain Springs Baptist Off Hwy. 22, Daviston

Pleasant Grove Church of Christ 1819 Bay Pine Rd, Jackson’s Gap

Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist 835 Valley Rd., Camp Hill 334-257-4442

Mt. Carmel Baptist 3610 Dudleyville Rd., Dadeville

Southview Church of Christ 2325 Dadeville Rd., Alex City 256-329-0212

Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Alexander City, 256-234-6972

Mt. Zion Baptist Hwy. 63 South, Alex City 256-234-7748

Rocky Mt. Baptist New Site community

New Beginning Baptist 1076 Coley Creek Rd.

Seleeta Baptist Booker St., Alex City 256-329-2685

New Concord Baptist Off hwy. 49, Dadeville, 256-825-5390

Shady Grove Baptist Jackson’s Gap Community

CHURCH OF GOD Alex City No. 2 A.C.O.P. Church of God Local Street, Alex City Bread of Life A.C.O.P. Church of God Hwy. 280, Kellyton Cedar Street Church of God 711 Martin Luther King Blvd. Alex City

New Elkahatchee Baptist Elkahatchee Rd., Alex City 256-329-9942

The Great Bethel Missionary 520 Christian St., Alex City 256-234-5513

New Hope Baptist Lake Martin, off Hwy. 63 256-329-2510

Dadeville Church of God 425 Horseshoe Bend Rd. (Hwy. 49 N.) Dadeville 256-825-8820

Unity Baptist Robinson Rd., Alex City

New Life Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-6190 / 256-329-2635

Marshall Street Church of God 428 Marshall Street, Alex City 256-234-3180

New Pine Grove Baptist Off Hwy. 22, Perryville

New Faith Tabernacle A.C.O.P. Church of God “J” Street

Zion Hill Missionary Baptist 583 S. Broadnax St., Dadeville BAPTIST – SOUTHERN Bay Pine Baptist 1480 Bay Pine Rd. Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-4433

New Providence Baptist Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City

New Harvest Ministries Church of God Hwy 280 & Coosa 28 256-329-2331

BAPTIST – MISSIONARY Bethlehem Baptist New Site

Bethany Baptist Church Bethany Road

New Rocky Mount Baptist 670 Peckerwood Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-794-3846

Cross Key Baptist Hackneyville, 256-329-9716

Bethel Baptist Smith Mt. Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-825-5070

New Salem Road New Site Rd., New Site, 256-234-2932

Darian Missionary Baptist Church Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City 256-329-3865

Beulah Baptist Smith Mt. Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-825-9882

Old Providence Baptist Off Hwy. 63 N., near Hackneyville

The Church of God 13th Ave. N., Alex City 256-329-1696

Elam Baptist Robertson Rd. Alex City

Calvary Baptist 819 Main St., Dadeville, 256-825-5989

Old Union Baptist 1106 Davis Circle 256-596-1873

Washington Street A.C.O.P. Church of God Washington Street

Orr Street Baptist 1000 “O” Street (Hwy. 63N) Alex City, 256-234-3171

CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY Church of God of Prophecy 303 Poplar Rd., Alex City, 256-234-6941

Early Rose Baptist 201 E Street, Alexander City Flint Hill Baptist Hwy. 280, Dadeville

Calvary Heights Baptist Elkahatchee, Rd., Alex City 256-234-7224

Friendship Baptist Our Town Community, 256-329-5243

Camp Hill Baptist Downtown Camp Hill, 256-896-2811

Hollins Springs Baptist Hwy. 280, Goodwater

Comer Memorial 941 E. Church St., Alex City 256-234-2236

Jackson’s Gap Baptist Church 21 East Church St. 256-825-6814

Daviston Baptist Daviston, 395-4327

Liberty Church 1034 Liberty Church Rd. Willow Point Alex City Macedonia Baptist Macedonia Circle, Goodwater 256-839-5793 Marietta Baptist Goodwater Miracle Missionary Baptist 1687 “I” Street 256-215-9788, 256-215-9787 Mt. Calvary Baptist 329 King St., Alex City, 256-234-5631 Mt. Olive Baptist Hwy. 280 & Jct. 49, Goodwater Mt. Sinai Baptist Fish Pond Rd., Coosa County 256-329-2337 Mt. Zion Baptist Hwy. 22, New Site Mt. Zion East StillWaters Dr., 256-825-4991 Mt. Zion West Our Town Community, 256-234-7748 New Elam Baptist Hwy. 9, Burtonville, 256-234-2037

BANK & TRUST

Pleasant Home Baptist Clay County

New Bethel Baptist Rock St., Dadeville, 256-825-7726 Peace & Goodwill Baptist Cottage Grove Community Alexander City, 256-377-4634 Pine Grove Baptist Eagle Creek Rd., Dadeville

Eagle Creek Baptist Hwy. 49, Dadeville, 256-825-6048 Fellowship Baptist Buttston Community Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church on Claybrook Drive, Alex City 256-839-5339 First Baptist Court Square, Alex City 256-234-6351 First Baptist Tallassee St., Dadeville, 256-825-6232 Good News Baptist Church 10493 Hwy. 280, Jackson’s Gap 256-825-2555 Hackneyville Baptist Hwy. 63 N., Hackneyville Hillabee Baptist Hillabee Rd., Alex City 256-234-6798 Horseshoe Bend Baptist Hwy. 280, Dadeville Jackson’s Gap Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-4951 Kellyton Baptist Kellyton, 256-329-1512 Kendrick Baptist Church Nixburg Lake Martin Baptist Hwy 34, Dadeville 256-825-7434 Lake Pointe Baptist 8352 Hwy. 50W, Dadeville Lebanon Baptist Mt. Carmel Rd., Dadeville, 256-234-7541

Perryville Baptist Perryville, 256-234-3588 Pine Grove Baptist Camp Hill Ray Baptist Rockford Hwy., Alex City, 256-234-7609 River Road Baptist 148 Dean Rd., Alex City, 256-234-6971 Rocky Creek Baptist Samford Rd., Cowpens Community Rocky Mount Baptist Hwy. 22 E., Alex City, 256-329-2327 Rock Springs Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-839-6263 Russell Farm Baptist Hwy. 63 beyond Our Town

Pentecostal Church of God 163 Franklin Street, Alex City 256-215-4055

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1515 Worthy Road, Alex City (Corner of Worthy Place and Dadeville Road)

First United Methodist 310 Green St., Alex City 256-234-6322 First United Methodist Dadeville, 256-825-4404 Flint Hill U.M., Alex City 256-234-5047

Haven United Methodist 354 Christian St., Alex City 256-329-8394 Hillabee Campground UMC 120 CC Road, Alex City Sunday School 10am Sunday Service 11am Kellyton U.M., Kellyton, 256-329-1681 Liberty United Methodist Liberty Rd., Hackneyville Mt. Godfrey New Site New Site U.M. New Site, 256-234-7834

Sunnylevel United Methodist 3202 Hwy. 63N, Alex City 256-234-6877 Trinity United Methodist 280 By-pass, Alex City, 256-234-2455 Union United Methodist 4428 Hwy. 50, Dadeville 256-825-2241 METHODIST – INDEPENDENT Daviston Independent Methodist Daviston, 395-4207 PENTECOSTAL Pentecostals of Dadeville 115 West Columbus Street Dadeville, 256-596-3411

EPISCOPAL Saint James Episcopal Church 121 South Central Ave., Alex City 256-234-4752

First Presbyterian Okefuske, Dadeville, 256-825-4081 Robinson Memorial Presbyterian Robinson Rd., Alex City UNITED PENTECOSTAL Alex City Apostolic 3708 Robinson Rd., Alexander City, 256-329-1573 INDEPENDENT Faith Temple Franklin Street, Alex City, 256-234-6421

Sixth Street Baptist Sixth St., Alex City, 256-234-2408

Fellowship Revival Center Mission 316 6th Ave., Alex City 256-329-1510 weekends

Sunny Level Baptist Church Sunny Acres Subdivision Sewell Street

Kellyton Revival Center Co. Road 87 South Kellyton

Town Creek Baptist Camp Ground Rd., Alex City

Liberty Life Christian Center 321 “S” Street, Alex City

Wayside Baptist 21 Wayside Circle, Alex City 256-234-5564

Passion Church 3340 Hwy. 63 N., Alex City 256-409-9590

Zion Hill Baptist Hwy. 79, near Horseshoe Bend

The Family Worship Center 365 Scott Road, Alex City

Jehovah-Jireh Ministries 252 Tallapoosa St., Alex City 256-215-4211

CATHOLIC St. John the Apostle 454 N. Central Ave., Alex City 256-234-3631

METHODIST – UNITED Alexander City Methodist 11th Ave. N., Alex City 256-329-1284

Leap of Faith Outreach Ministry 886 Terrance Drive, 256-234-7119

CHURCH OF CHRIST Alex City Church of Christ 945 Tallapoosa St., Alex City 256-234-6494

Bradford Methodist Hwy. 9, Goodwater

New Bethel Fellowship Church 5474 Rock Springs Road Jackson’s Gap 256-825-3367

Comer Memorial U.M. 427 East Church St., 256-329-3467

The Baha’I Faith 740 Newell Street, Camp Hill 256-896-4007

Duncan Memorial U.M. 3997 Hillabee Rd., Alex City 256-234-6708

The Word Bible Church 161 Main St., Alex City, 256-215-5646

TTORNEY AT

YOUR FAMILY CARE CENTER

Medicine, Office Surgery, Pediatric and Industrial 5675 Bull Gap Road Goodwater, AL JAMES P. TEMPLE, M.D.

TIMOTHY J. CORBIN, M.D. VINCENT LAW, M.D.

859 Airport Drive Alexander City, AL

256-249-8808

6684 Hwy. 49 South Dadeville, AL •••

256-825-4827

Family Worship Center 1676 Sewell Street 256-839-6895 First Congregational Christian 11th Ave. South, Alex City GAP Fellowship Ministries P.O. Box 1571, Alex City God’s House 9334 Hwy 63N, Alex City Roger Green Sun. Service: 11:00 & 6:00 Wed. Bible Study: 6:30

Brown Chinristmas TREE FARMS G. Daniel A L TEMPLE MEDICAL CLINIC, P.C. Dixie 926 Cherokee Road 8:00-4:00 Monday-Friday By Appointment (except emergencies) Phone: (256) 234-4295 After Hours: (256) 329-7100

Eat At . . .

Tailgating & Catering Available

FULL GOSPEL Dadeville Foursquare Gospel Church Old 280 By-pass

Meadows St. Church of Christ 306 Meadows St., Alex City

Call Will or John Dark Today (256) 234-5026

Red Ridge United Methodist 8091 County Road 34, Dadeville 256-825-9820

Sandy Creek Baptist Alex City

Dadeville Church of Christ East LaFayette St., Dadeville

DARK INSURANCE AGENCY

Pearson Chapel U.M. Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City

PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian 371 Jefferson St., Alex City 256-329-0524

House of Restoration Holiness 519 Slaughter Ave., Camp Hill, 256-749-2373, 256-896-2904

256.329.7400

Goodwater U.M. Main St., Goodwater, 256-839-6661

CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Dadeville Church of the Nazarene Corner Hwy. 280 and 49, 256-825-8191

HOLINESS Alex City Emmanuel Holiness Hillabee St., Alex City

BANKING ON VALUES

Alexander City, AL

256-329-1552

Quality T& S Automotive Automotive Repairs & Service

Open Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 256.329.9423 141 Lee Street • Alexander City, AL

OWNER: ANTHONY GREEN

Wright’s Funeral Home 256/234-6355

JACKSON REFRIGERATION CO., INC.

HEATING & COOLING Our Name is Our Reputation and “Your Comfort is Our Priority!”

256/234-4457 or 256/496-3850 10390 AL Hwy. 259 Alexander City, AL (256) 215-5586 www.southernstarfarm.us STORE HOURS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

– FINANCING AVAILABLE – Sales • Service • Installation P.O. Box 103, Alex City, AL (256) 329-8488

Mistletoe Bough

Bed & Breakfast

497 Hillabee Street Alexander City 256.329.3717 www.mistletoebough.com

Weekend Edition, December 3-4, 2016

Fire

“The damage is minor and we had an investigator on the scene,” Abbett said. “We do have a suspect and will have a little more at a later time.”

Thomas

impact he has had on Alexander City,” Nabors said. “Think about it – for 40 years he has had a hand in planning and finding ways to make things happen in our city. I think we will be thanking him for years for all he has done.” A committee led by Nabors has hired Al Jones to serve as the city’s next community development director. Jones, an Alexander City resident, has spent the last 15 years in Montgomery, serving as the program manager for the Appalachian Regional Commission with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Jones will begin work on Dec. 14, and he hopes to soak up as much knowledge as he can shadowing Thomas for his final two weeks “I am excited to be able to come back home,” Jones said. “Randy Thomas leaves some pretty big shoes to fill. From working at the state, I can’t tell you how many times his name has come up in conversations. They say that if you want to know how to navigate the system and handle grants, see Randy Thomas in Alexander City. “To follow a guy like that will be a tall order, but I hope to learn from him and do all that I can to make Alexander City better.

LAKE MARTIN BUILDING SUPPLY 2695 Dadeville Road • Alexander City

256-234-5500

Michael & Tiffany Huff – Owners/Managers

Bill’s Electric ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

P.O. Box 673 1814 Airpor t Blvd • Alexander Cit y, AL

Burglars

continued from page 1

evidence and trying to track down any information they can on a possible suspect.” Robinson said that around the holidays, burglaries do increase, with thieves often targeting storage facilities looking for items of value that they can sell or pawn for quick cash. He said that there are some common sense security measures that people can try to lessen the risks of burglary. “The lock is the important thing when using a storage warehouse,” Robinson said. “Don’t use a cheap lock that can be easily with bolt cutters. They make locks designed for that specific purpose.” Robinson said that whenever possible choose a unit in an area of the facility that is well-lit, facing an area that has regular traffic and one that is protected by

cameras. He said checking on the unit regularly and at differing times is also a plus. That way if an incident does occur, you will know sooner so that authorities can be alerted. “I know that there are times when storage units are a life saver for residents, but things of great value or sentimental value would be more secure if they kept them close to them if possible,” Robinson said. About the same time of year in 2014, as many as 45 units were burglarized and two Coosa County men were arrested and convicted in the case. Dallas Quenten Fuller of Kellyton and James Lamar Edge, 22, also of Kellyton were convicted of more than 20 counts of burglary and theft of property in that spree.

Jingle

continued from page 1

ers dress up in holiday costumes,” Rickman explained. “Some dressed as a reindeer last year while others as a snowman, elves and Santa Claus. We even had some in ugly Christmas sweaters.” For those looking for a little something fun for next weekend, there is still time to sign up

Council authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with Engineering Environmental and Forestry Service Company to perform the construction engineering and inspection services for the reconstruction and resurfacing projects along Washington and Lee streets. EEFS was recommended by the Alabama Department of Transportation and their services is up to $288,063. According to information supporting

10 Of f

continued from page 1

and I worked on that night and day forever it seemed. We were really competing with every city in the state. That’s when I got to know Congressman Nichols and he taught me so much about the process. “To see us land that and what it has become and meant to Alexander City is probably the one I am most proud of.” You can see Thomas’ eyes light up when he talks about how many local people played a role in bringing Bill Nichols to Alexander City,saying that those kind of team efforts were always great to see. Thomas said that to see how it has grown and continues to be an economic engine for the city has also been gratifying. “Just look at the tags in the parking lot,” Thomas said. “There are tags from all over the state and from other states as well. In addition to being a great place for our veterans, it created jobs here and those people visiting here bring money to our community.” Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors thanked Thomas for his service and said the full impact of the projects that Thomas has played a major role in is staggering. “There is no way to measure what kind of

Christmas weekend,” Rickman said. “We have campers and their families in for a special weekend. The campers even get involved in the Jingle Jump. They can raise funds and get a counselor or staff member to jump for them.” Rickman says it is a fun event for all. “Many of the jump-

ALL HEATERS %

continued from page 1

hand.” Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said that it appears that a student lit some tissue and it flamed up before it could be extinguished.

Page 7

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The Outlook

by visiting the Camp ASCCA Facebook page or by emailing Rickman at dana@campascca.org. For those worried about having to do something else Saturday, Rickman says not to worry. “We will have a warming tent and catered lunch,” Rickman said. “It is from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. leaving plenty

continued from page 1

Monday’s agenda, construction engineering and inspection services are 100 percent reimbursable under the grant. Monday’s meeting will begin a half hour earlier at 5 p.m. to accommodate the Hometown Christmas Parade. The council is also set to consider: • A resolution calling for a public hearing on closing the alley between 33 Main and 41 Main. • A resolution that changes in pay grades to

meet the Department of Labor standards. • A request from Father Peter Reddy of St. John the Apostle Church to hold annual procession in celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. • A request from Sonny Wilson, Parks and Recreation Department to wave business license for vendors for Christmas in the Park.

of time to get the other things going on in the area.”

FOR SALE

3111 HWY 63N, ALEX CITY $499,000 GREAT LOCATION-minutes to town! Gorgeous 5BD/3.5BA home located on 50 sprawling acres! Main features an open LR, eat-in Kit and formal DR w/wood flooring, high ceilings crown molding, granite countertops, SS appliances, large laundry & large office. Master suite w/ his/her walkin closets, bay window. Master BA has slate floor and shower, jacuzzi tub. Metal barn, fenced pasture and so much more.

SAMANTHA SPURLIN

OfÄce: 256.329.LAKE (5253) Mobile: 256.786.0650 www.samanthaspurlin.com sam@samanthaspurlin.com

(256) 234-4555 “PROVIDING QUAALITYY ELEECTRRICALL CONSSTRUUCTIIONN SINCE 196 61”

We Care About You and Your Loved Ones!

•Home-like Environment • Specialized Dementia Care Unit •Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Services

A DAMS HEALTH & REHAB 1555 HILLABEE STREET • (256) 329-0847

We hope all of the wonderful sentiments of the season ﬁll your heart and home with joy at Christmastime and throught the New Year.

Joy. Peace. Goodwill. Wonder.

• Pre-Loved Clothing • Furniture • Home Décor • Appliances &

More ____ We accept donations.

In the Air, There’s a Feeling of Christmas! 256-392-4251

TH HRIF RIF T CENT CENT ER

625 Alex City Shopping Center Drive Alexander City, AL (Next to Roses & Longleaf Antiques)

Be Seen by your customers households read one of our products 85.8% Of each month*

Of households report using The Outlook

67.8% and The Record in the past 30 days to find local sales or service offers.*

Of households read one of our products

65.3% each day.*

www.alexandercityoutlook.com

We are THE print, digital & social media that people look forward to! *Pulse research 2013

Page 8

www.alexcityoutlook.com

CommunityCalendar SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

This weekend is December 3-4, 2016 Weekend Events December 3

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com Many a small thing

has been made

TRASH WALK: The monthly PATH Trash walk will resume Saturday, Dec. 3 It will start at the Elkahatchee Bridge on Highway 63 at 8:30 a.m. where assignment and supplies will be issued. For more information contact John Thompson at 334-399-3289.

December 4

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Mt. Zion East Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its

Weekend Edition, December 3-4, 2016

The Outlook

151st Church Anniversary Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. Guest minister will be Rev. M. A. Moss of Reeltown Baptist Church. Rev. Jimmy Thomas is pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. CHRISTMAS CANTATA: Red Ridge United Methodist Church will present its Christmas cantata “Christmas Music” at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 under the direction of Dr. Kim Walls. The choir composed of church members will sing some of their old favorite selec-

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tions accompanied by a full orchestra composed of professional, amateur and student musicians from the local area. Featured vocalists will be H.D Price, Toni and Phil Adcock, Diane Miller, P. J. Armour and Susan Grace. Dramatization will feature the Manager Scene, the 3 Wise Men, The Angel Gabriel and the Shepherd Boy. Refreshments and coffee will be served following the concert. Make your plans to attend. Red Ridge is located at 8091 County Road 34, Dadeville, 256-825-9820, redridgeumc.org CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Pine Grove Missionary Baptist

Church is celebrating its 153rd Church Anniversary Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. Rev. G.H. Pulliam is pastor. Guest minister is Rev. C.L. Daniel, pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Notasulga. Dinner will be served.

Weekend Birthdays

SATURDAY: Priscilla Piazza, Mickey Cossey, Denise Bradberry, Landon Lucas, Palmer Peppers, Greenlee Peppers and Tyler Shores SUNDAY: Ben Powell, Richard Lucas, Tommy Jenkins, Rev. Bobby Ned Duck, Rev. Herman Daniel, Nell Lankford and Jim Qualizza

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Red Ridge United Methodist Church will present a Christmas Cantata “Christmas Music” at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.

Now - December 17

FOOD FOR FINES: The Adelia M. Russell Library and Mamie’s Place Children’s Library is accepting non-perishable food items in lieu of library fines.

Now - December 25

HOLIDAY TREE OF LIGHTS: The Russell Medical Auxiliary is having its annual Holiday Tree of Lights in the lobby of Russell Medical. For $5 anyone can put a car on the Christmas tree in the lobby in honor or memory of a love one. Proceeds go toward student scholarships and items to be donated to much needed departments of the hospital.

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CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Mt. Zion East Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its 151st Church Anniversary Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. Guest minister will be Rev. M. A. Moss of Reeltown Baptist Church. Rev. Jimmy Thomas is pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. CHRISTMAS CANTATA: Red Ridge United Methodist Church will present its Christmas Cantata “Christmas Music” at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 under the direction of Dr. Kim Walls. The choir composed of church members will sing some of their old favorite selections accompanied by a full orchestra composed of professional, amateur and student musicians from the local area. Featured vocalists will be H.D Price, Toni and Phil Adcock, Diane Miller, P. J. Armour and Susan Grace. Dramatization will feature the Manager Scene, the 3 Wise Men, The Angel Gabriel and the Shepherd Boy. Refreshments and coffee will be served following the concert. Make your plans to attend. Red Ridge is located at 8091 County Road 34, Dadeville, 256-825-9820,redridgeumc.org CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its 153rd Church Anniversary Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. Rev. G.H. Pulliam is pastor. Guest minister is Rev. C.L. Daniel, pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Notasulga. Dinner will be served.

and the dosages. Volunteers will guide them through the selection process and help them get information on the cost of each plan. People interested in getting a plan comparison will be assisted on a first come, first served basis. Each counseling sessions will last about 40 minutes. There may be a wait time. Contact East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission at (800) 2435463 ext. 150 with questions. CHRISTMAS CONCERT: The BRHS Choral Department will present it’s annual Christmas Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 7:00 p.m. in the BRHS Auditorium. The Concert will feature holiday favorites and will showcase the BRHS Concert Choir, Show Choir, and Gospel Choir. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and canned goods will be collected at the door to help the area food banks.

December 7

MONTHLY LUNCHEON: The Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends Monthly Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bring a covered dish and a small donation.

December 8

TOWN HALL MEETING: Alexander City Councilwoman Buffy Colvin will be meeting with residents Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Springhill Youth and Adults Services building on County Road to discuss key issues facing the district.

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December 6

DRUG PLAN ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE: Tallapoosa County and The East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission’s Area Agency on Aging will host a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan enrollment assistance event on Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sportplex Cabin. To help develop a plan comparison, Medicare recipients will need to bring their Medicare card,along with a complete list of medications they are taking

December 18

December 25

CHRISTMAS DINNER: Comer United Methodist Church is hosting a Christmas Dinner Dec. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The public is invited to have a hot meal and fellowship. Tickets can be picked up at the nutrition center and at the Salvation Army. For more information call 256-234-7831.

January 8

FASHION, HAIR and COMEDY SHOW: There will be a community talent, fashion, hair and comedy show with guest from as far away as Arkansas Jan. 8 at 3 p.m. at Passion Church on Highway 63 North.

January 20

December 9

February 11

HOLIDAY BAKE SALE: The Russell Medical Auxiliary is hosting a holiday bake sale Dec. 9 in the Community Room beginning at 7 a.m. until all items are gone. There will also be poinsettias for sale for $12.

December 10

CHRISTMAS PARADE: The town of Camp Hill will have a Christmas Parade at noon Dec. 10. CHRISTMAS GALA: New Style Baptist Church is hosting its annual Christmas Gala at the New Style Fellowship Hall Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. Admission is $20 and includes dinner. For more information call 256-4964244 or 256-496-4067.

December 11

CHRISTMAS CANTATA: Liberty United Methodist Church Choir is presenting a Christmas Cantata “The First Noel” Sunday, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. A fellowship meal will follow. The church is located at 1630 Liberty Road 2.5 miles north of Hackneyville. CHRISTMAS PARADE: The Dadeville Christmas Parade will start at 3 p.m. Dec. 11 and follow travel Lafayette Street before making its way to the courthouse square.

December 17

COMMUNITY PRAYER: The Darian Missionary Baptist Church family and prayer teams are offering prayer to the community the third Saturday of each month through December from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot on the corner of Laurel and E Streets across from

256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com

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January 17

MEETING: The Artist Association of Central Alabama will meet Jan. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church.

PASTORAL APPRECIATION: The House of Prayer A.C.O.P. is hosting its 23rd Annual pastoral Appreciation for Overseer Emma and Deacon Earnest House Dec. 7-9 at 7 p.m. with Climax Sunday Dec. 11 at 3 p.m.

December 7-11

Call me.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: New Popular Spring Missionary Baptist Church in Dadeville is hosting “Oh Come Let Us Adore Him” Christmas Pageant Sunday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome and there will be fruit bags for everyone.

SPEECH AND HEARING CLINIC: Auburn University NSSLHA and SAA are having a free speech and hearing screening Friday, Jan. 20 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary. All children must be accompanied by parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Services will be provided by the Auburn University Speech and Hearing Clinic Room 1199 Haley Center, Auburn University 36849-5232.

December 5

CHRISTMAS PARADE: The Alexander City Hometown Christmas Parade will be Dec. 5 and start at 6 p.m. Lineup will start on Comer Street before coming up Cherokee Road to the Round-About and down Tallapoosa Street.

Stephens Elementary School.

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MISS WINTER: The 2017 Miss Winter Pageant will be Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Dadeville High School Auditorium. Rehearsals will take place Friday, Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. Applications may be picked up at Little Lambs and Ivy Day School or by emailing Sherri Williams at misswinterpageant@gmail. com. There will be a Baby Miss, Tiny Miss, Little Miss, Junior Miss, Teen Miss, Miss, Elite Miss and Miss Winter Princess.

Ongoing Events RECYCLING: The Alexander City Recycling Facility is located at the Public Works Department at 824 Railey Road. All materials should be dropped off behind the green storage shed on the Public Works lot. The facility is always open for unassisted drop off. Assistance with drop off is available between 7:00 am until 3:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Please call 256409-2020 for more information. WOMEN’S MEETING: Victory Temple Holiness Church in Dadeville is hosting a women’s meeting the first Sunday of every month. Men are invited too. AWANA: Wayside Baptist Church hosts Awana Sundays from 4:40 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for ages three to high school. For more information contact George Gardin, student minister, at 864-580-0343. VOLUNTEER: Southern Care Hospice is seeking volunteers. Please call Lizz Gillenwaters at 256-234-1134 or 256-749-3717 for more information.

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The Wetumpka Herald

Weekend Edition, December 3-4, 2016

State makes funds available to help with energy bills STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Governor Robert Bentley on Friday awarded grants totaling $37.2 million to assist low-income families in Alabama with home energy bills. Due to the recent storms in Alabama, the Governor has fast tracked these grants in order for funds to be distributed immediately. The grants will enable 22 community action agencies throughout the state to provide temporary emergency assistance with electric and gas bills. Priority for assistance is given to the elderly, people with disabilities and families with young children. Included in those agencies slated to receive funds is the Community Action Committee Inc. of Chambers-TallapoosaCoosa. The agency was awarded $862,929 according to a release from Bentley’s office. “High home heating bills during the winter can be very challenging for lowincome families or elderly residents living on very limited budgets,” Bentley said. “These grants will continue to provide needed assistance to residents with the greatest need.” Those seeking assistance must apply through their local community action agencies. Eligibility is based on income, family size and available resources. If applications are approved, payments are made directly to the utility companies on behalf of residents. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants as part of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The funding was made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “A cold winter can be especially harsh on those living on extremely limited incomes,” ADECA Director Jim Byard Jr. said. “ADECA’s partnerships with community action agencies throughout the state enables us to help those in need of assistance. I thank Governor Bentley for prioritizing these grants to help families impacted by the recent severe weather in our state.” Other community action agencies and the counties served include: • Community Action Partnership of Huntsville/Madison and Limestone Counties Inc. (Madison and Limestone) – $2,313,683 • Community Service Programs of West Alabama Inc. (Bibb, Choctaw, Fayette, Greene, Lamar, Tuscaloosa and Sumter) –

$3,331,190 • Walker County Community Action Agency Inc. (Walker) – $629,320 • Pickens County Community Action Committee and Community Development Corp. Inc. (Pickens) – $287,068 • Organized Community Action Program Inc. (Bullock, Butler, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Lowndes and Pike) – $2,331,889 • Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama Inc. (Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale) – $1,100,014 • Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama Inc. (Blount, Cherokee, DeKalb, Jackson, Marshall and St. Clair) – $3,048,685 • Community Action Partnership of North Alabama Inc. (Cullman, Lawrence and Morgan) – $1,799,536 • Montgomery Community Action Agency (Montgomery) – $2,019,137 • Mobile Community Action Inc. (Mobile and Washington) – $3,836,929 • Marion-Winston Counties Community Action Committee Inc. (Marion and Winston) – $588,062 • Macon-Russell Community Action Agency Inc. (Macon and Russell) – $858,631 • Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity (Jefferson) – $3,337,594 • Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership, Inc. (Barbour, Coffee, Geneva, Henry and Houston) – $1,900,283 • Hale Empowerment and Revitalization Organization Inc. (Hale) – $361,343 • Community Action of Etowah County Inc. (Etowah) – $864,701 • Community Action Agency of Central Alabama (Autauga, Dallas, Elmore and Perry) – $1,713,112 • Eleventh Area of Alabama Opportunity Action Committee Inc. (Chilton and Shelby) – $950,616 • Community Action Agency of South Alabama (Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Marengo, Monroe and Wilcox) – $2,416,195 • Alabama Council on Human Relations Inc. (Lee) – $1,137,444 • Community Action Agency of Talladega, Clay, Randolph, Calhoun, and Cleburne Counties (Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Randolph and Talladega) – $1,499,982 Full contact information for each agency can be found at www.caaalabama.org/ agency-list.php.

Page 11

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The Outlook

CACC gives info on how to apply for energy assistance STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Community Action Committee Inc. of Chambers-TallapoosaCoosa is gearing up to help lowincome families pay heating bills this winter. The purpose of the Low Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP) is to assist lowincome citizens by offsetting the rising cost of home energy through direct assistance, energy counseling, outreach and education. The non-profits mission is to enhance the quality of life for low-income people through mobilizing resources and providing services to promote self sufficiency. The program is set to begin taking appointments January 3, 2017. Appointments for senior citizens age 60 or older will be taken December 12-21. Appointments for the general public will began January 3, 2017. “It’s an important program for the clients,” said David Boleware,

Executive Director. Home energy costs tend to be higher in the winter, we assist low-income households in helping to meeting their heating needs. Anyone applying for assistance must meet income eligibility requirements. Applicants are required to provide proof of income, picture ID, Copy of current award letter for Social Security, SSI etc. Most recent utility bill, as well as Social Security cards for each household member. Funds are limited and are being distributed on a first come, first served basis. For the heating assistance program, CAC Inc of CTC serves three counties: Chambers, Tallapoosa and Coosa. Last year, it completed applications for more than 27 3 households in those counties including 1273 in Chambers, 1094 in Tallapoosa, and 366 in Coosa. To schedule an appointment or for additional information call 256-825-4287 ext. 201, or visit our website@ www.cacctc.com

Many a small thing

has been made

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TALLAPOOSA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION COMBINED STATEMENT OF REVENUE, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES GOVERNMENTAL AND EXPENDABLE TRUST FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

CATHY HIGGINS SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228

sports@alexcityoutlook.com

Page 12

Weekend Edition, December 3-4, 2016

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WILDCATS LOSE SEASON OPENER CATHY HIGGINS

By CATHY HIGGINS Sports Editor

Sports Editor

Wow, what an exciting varsity winter sports season it is shaping up to be

ow that we’ve all digested our Thanksgiving turkey and moved into December, high school varsity winter sports are revving up. Basketball has begun at Benjamin Russell, Horseshoe Bend, Dadeville and Central Coosa. And Reeltown is getting ready to hit the hardwood this week. Although the season is just starting, it’s already been a wild ride that can have you traveling from one end of the emotion spectrum to the other — all within a two-hour timeframe. Take Benjamin Russell’s latest home game against Clay Central Thursday. The Lady Wildcats came away with quite a victory while the varsity boys were edged out by one final basket from the outside. Boy, the drama of the night was reflected in the emotion displayed on both sides of the packed bleachers as the Wildcats morale boosters aka “Hines Hooligans” traded cheers and jeers with equally invested Vols fans. But that wasn’t the only place where emotions ran high Thursday. Dadeville fans had plenty to roar about as both the varsity boys and girls came away from their trip to Holtville with season opening wins. And let’s not forget that Horseshoe Bend did the exact thing the day before at home against Fayetteville. Whewee…that’s a lot of drama for a two-day period. I’d like to thank the coaches of these schools for letting me know how these games turned out so I can share that information with you, the reader. That means so much and is very much appreciated. As I mentioned last week, providing you all with the latest sports results is my priority. However, I can’t be at every game and depend on the coaches to let me know how the games turn out. After all, we have multiple sports going at the same time, making for quite the juggling act. (Does anyone else hear circus music?) Exhibit A is the fact that Benjamin Russell’s varsity wrestling team just opened its season at home Friday. So that’s two varsity sports that are officially under way. With that in mind, I’d like to remind you all that I need your help in getting game results in the paper. Coaches can call me at 256-2344281, ext. 228 and leave a voicemail, text their game results to me at 251-2135343 or send it in an email to cathy.higgins@alexcityoutlook.com. I’m really jazzed about how the winter sports season has started and look forward to seeing how it progresses. Thanks in advance for helping me to be able to make sure all of our readers get to follow that progress too. Cathy Higgins is sports editor of The Alexander City Outlook and The Dadeville Record. She can be reached at 256-234-4281 or cathy. higgins@alexcityoutlook.

The Benjamin Russell varsity wrestling team lost its season opener at home to Tallassee Friday by a team score of 51-16. “It was a rough day,” said first-year Benjamin Russell varsity wrestling head coach Danny Hall. “But hopefully this will be a wakeup call for a lot of my guys. We’ve got a lot of work to do. We’re small, we’re weak, we’re out of shape.” In the 106-pound match, Ben Russell freshman Kyle Mattox lost in one period to Tallassee sophomore Quinton Jeter in a 6-point take-down pin. In the 133-pound match, it took three periods for Benjamin Russell freshman Bobby Charsha to lose to Tallassee freshman Zackery Haynes in four takedowns and an escape. In the 120 class, Benjamin Russell freshman Braxton Ray lost to Tallassee sophomore Jonovan Miller in three periods with six takedowns and four escapes. In the 126 class, Benjamin Russell freshman Peyton Young lost to Tallassee eighth grader Mason Bell in one period with two takedowns, an escape and a penalty. In the 132-pound match, Ben Russell sophomore Ryan Spradley fell to Tallassee senior Jordan Price in three periods. Spradley had two takedowns, a reversal, two staff cautions and a penalty. Price had a takedown, two reversals, a caution and a staff caution.

Cathy Higgins / The Outlook

BRHS freshman Peyton Young struggles to get free from Tallassee eighth grader Mason Bell during the Wildcats’ varsity wrestling season opener Friday. Bell beat Young in the match.

Benjamin Russell freshman Saxon Coker won the 138 class from a Tallassee forfeit. In the 145 class, Benjamin Russell junior Michael Parker won over Talllassee senior Kobe Hampton in three periods with two takedowns and two reversals. In the 152-pound match, Benjamin Russell senior Andrew Queen defeated Tallassee sophomore Rio Reyes in three periods with a regular decision. In 160, Benjamin Russell junior Jy Harvey won out over Tallassee sophomore Colby Gilson in three periods with four takedowns and two escapes. In the 170 class, Benjamin Russell junior Isaiah Holloway lost to Tallassee senior Alex Davidson in three periods with a regular decision. In the 182-pound match, Benjamin

Russell junior Connor Burk lost to Tallassee senior Hudson Deem in three periods with three takedowns, a reversal and an escape. In 195, Benjamin Russell senior Jamie Whitehead was defeated by Tallassee sophomore Andy Baker in three periods with an escape and a takedown pin. In the 220 class, Benjamin Russell eighth grader Dimitri Johnson fell to Tallassee junior Noah Blaylock in two period with a pin. In the 285 class, Benjamin Russell freshman Curtis Norris lost to Tallassee sophomore Jake Justiss in just one round with a pin. The Benjamin Russell varsity wrestling team next heads to Phenix City today for the Red Devil Duals and then to Dadeville at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

UPCOMING SPORTS EVENTS Today

• Dadeville High Varsity Wrestling match at Tallasee, 9 a.m. • Horseshoe Bend JV boys/ girls host Dadeville, 11 a.m. • Benjamin Russell varsity wrestling at Phenix City for Red Devil Duals, time TBA Monday • Dadeville High Varsity Wrestling match at Prattville Christian Academy, 5 p.m. • Horseshoe Bend varsity boys/junior high girls/junior high boys/varsity girls basketball at Woodland, 4 p.m. Tuesday • Alexander City Middle girls basketball home game against Dadeville, 4:30 p.m. • Central Coosa Middle basketball boys/girls home game against Childersburg, 4:30 p.m. • Dadeville High varsity wrestling match at Beauregard in Beulah, 5 p.m. • Dadeville varsity basketball home game against Alabama Christian Academy, girls 5:30 p.m., boys 7 p.m. • Horseshoe Bend varsity boys/ girls basketball at Lanett, 4 p.m. • Reeltown jv/junior high boys, varsity girls basketball at Loachapoka, 4:30 p.m., varsity boys 7 p.m.

Cathy Higgins / The Outlook

Dadeville junior guard Jalen Sullivan goes for a layup during the varsity boys basketball practice earlier in the season.

Dadeville varsity boys, girls open season with wins at Holtville By CATHY HIGGINS Sports Editor

The Dadeville varsity boys basketball team roared into the season Thursday as the Tigers captured a road win over Holtville 75-52. With the win, Dadeville starts its season 1-0 both overall and in the area. Leading the Tigers in the win were Dadeville junior small forward Qua Tucker and freshman forward Jamauri Chislom with 12 points each. They had help from junior guard Tykeem Holley with 10. Dadeville varsity boys basketball head coach Rodney Taylor was extremely pleased with the season-opening win. “I thought we played hard,” he said. “I was really proud of my players’ attitudes and the

energy in which they played with.” The coach anticipates Thursday’s game will set the tone for the Tigers’ season. “I am very excited about this group of young men and what this season holds for us down the road,” Taylor said. Dadeville next holds its first home game Tuesday as the Tigers host Alabama Christian Academy. Tipoff is 7 p.m.

Lady Tigers get landslide victory over Holtville

The Lady Tigers also trounced the Lady Bulldogs Thursday as the Dadeville varsity girls basketball team had a runaway win over Holtville 67-7. Leading the Lady Tigers in the staggering season-opening victory was Dadeville

senior guard Raven Tuck with 22 points., 11 steals and 9 rebounds But she had plenty of help. Sophomore guard Nena Pearson had 13 points and junior guard Quanesha Presley had 11. Dadeville varsity girls basketball head coach Pam Holloway was pleased with the Lady Tigers’ first game of the year. “It was a good start to open the season,” she said. “We have a lot of fundamental things to improve upon, but overall the girls worked well together.” Thursday’s win brings the Lady Tigers’ season to 1-0 overall and in the region. They will get a chance to build on that success at Tuesday’s home game against Alabama Christian Academy. Tipoff is 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday • Dadeville Middle basketball home game against Beulah, girls 4 p.m., boys 5:30 p.m. • Reeltown junior high girls/boys basketball at John P. Powell Middle, 4:30 p.m. • BRHS varsity wrestling at Dadeville, 2 p.m. Thursday • Central Coosa Middle basketball boys/girls game at Eclectic Middle, girls 5:30 p.m., boys 6:30 p.m. • Horseshoe Bend varsity boys/ girls basketball at LaFayette, 5 p.m. • BRHS varsity wrestling at Stanhope Elmore, time TBA. Friday • Central Coosa Middle basketball boys/girls game at Eclectic Middle, girls 5:30 p.m., boys 6:30 p.m. • Dadeville varsity basketball home game against Benjamin Russell, girls 6 p.m., boys 7:30 p.m. • Horseshoe Bend JV boys/ girls, junior boys, varsity boys/girls basketball home game against Wadley, 3 p.m. • BRHS varsity wrestling at Swede Umbach in Auburn, time TBA. • Reeltown varsity basketball home game against Beauregard, girls 6 p.m., boys 7:30 p.m.

CRATA starts raising funds to take Smith Mountain Park to the next level Smith Mountain Fire Tower was open after hours on Nov. 14 so visitors could experience the “super moon” from on high.

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LAKE 3

Staff Chairman KENNETH BOONE

Letter from the Editor

hough you might think you don’t have time to sit down with a magazine this month, you’ll be missing out if you pass up this issue. Yes, there are gifts to wrap; decorations to put up; and meals to prepare, along with a heavy schedule of holidays parties and visits with family and friends. Every minute of every day seems spoken for three times over. But lake life doesn’t stop for the holidays, and that’s exactly why you need to pour yourself a hot beverage and cozy up in your favorite chair with Lake magazine. If you don’t, you’ll miss the details of the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association’s new project at Smith Mountain. The coming enhancements will improve the hiking experiences of countless visitors to one of Lake Martin’s most popular landmarks with new signs, educational displays and expanded trails. More than half of the $159,000 cost of the project has already been retained through a grant announced last month by Gov. Robert Bentley. The work will start immediately, and you can be part of it. Turn to page 39 to find out how. Then freshen up that cup and meet some interesting folks who now call Lake Martin home. John Andrews of Newnan, Georgia, moved to StillWaters for the golf and recreation of the lake, where he found time to indulge in the artistic endeavors in which he’d only dabbled during his career as a chemist and microbiologist. At the lake, he’s known as the Wood Carver. See his beautiful painted decoys on page 52. Then, on page 60, meet author and engineer Steve Baladamenti, who immersed himself in the community shortly after his arrival here. A lifelong lover of books, Baladamenti headed straight to the Dadeville Public Library right after he closed on his Lake Martin home, and now he serves library patrons in leadership roles with the Friends of the Library and its board of directors. Of course, you do need to get back to that crazy holiday schedule, and we want to help you with that. On page 32, you’ll find a gift guide for everything from stocking stuffers to the big-ticket items that will thrill the lake lovers on your list. And we’ve done a bit of the homework for you in our Boating Gifts! story on page 34, as well. But before you head out to pick up those must-haves, get a dose of what’s important at Christmas on page 44 with a tour of Karen and Tony Channell’s Willow Point home, which is dressed up and ready for the season. Wishing you all the best and the brightest of Christmases this year. We’re happy to spend a few minutes of it all with you in this issue of Lake.

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Publisher STEVE BAKER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Managing Editor BETSY ILER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Assistant Magazine Editor LONNA UPTON

lonna.upton@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing/Advertising Director TIPPY HUNTER

tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com

EMILY GREGG

emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com

TABBY EDWARDS

tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com

SCOTT HARDY

scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com

DONNA JONES

donna.jones@alexcityoutlook.com

Circulation Manager DAVID KENDRICK

david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com

Creative Services AUDRA SPEARS

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

DARLENE JOHNSON

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HALLIE HOLLOWAY

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

Betsy Iler, Managing Editor

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

Correction: The article entitled “How to choose a shop for boat repairs” in the October 2016 issue of Lake magazine incorrectly attributed ownership of a Red Hill community marina; Offshore Marine is owned by Chris Zinn. Lake magazine apologizes for the error.

4 LAKE

LEE WILLIAMS MITCH SNEED DAVID GRANGER GREG VINSON MITCH EMMONS COREY ARWOOD CATHY HIGGINS

DECEMBER 2016

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

On the Cover Cover: Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association officials opened the gate at Smith Mountain until 10 p.m. on Nov. 14 to allow spectators to view the rare supermoon from the historic restored fire tower. To get this shot for the cover of Lake magazine, TPI Chairman Kenneth Boone parked his boat in the lake below the mountain and aimed his camera skyward.

DECEMBER 2016

LAKE 5

6 LAKE

DECEMBER 2016

Contents 24. RECORD RENEWAL! 250 volunteers collect more than 20 tons of trash in annual cleanup effort at Lake Martin 32. 2016 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE From stocking stuffers to big-ticket items, everyone on your list will love gifts from the lake 34. BOATING GIFTS! You'll find books, bags, boats and more for Christmas at local marinas

39. CRATA TO MAKE MORE OF SMITH MTN New project includes educational displays, tower and trail signage and expanded hiking paths

44. HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS The Channells decorate their Willow Point home for family, faith and fun 52. WOOD CARVER Microbiologist John Andrews retired to an artistic life at StillWaters 56. WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT LOW WATER? Keep a positive attitude to make the most of Lake Martin's reduced water levels 58. HALL OF FAME INDUCTION Alabama Water Ski Federation honors three at Kowaliga for contributions to the sport

LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:

- edition

9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE

62. LAKE PROPERTY

TO THE LAKE

64. FAB FINDS

10. LAKE SCENES

65. HOBO

14. WHERE IS LAKE?

66. HEALTHY LIVING

16. LAKE EVENTS

68. BIG CATCHES

21. LAKE MARTIN NEWS

70. CHEF'S TABLE

22. GEO 101

71. FROM THE CELLAR

28. NATURE OF THE LAKE

75. PRO TIPS & TEE TALK

60. LAKE Q&A

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

DECEMBER 2016

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DECEMBER 2016

Lake’s Quick Guide to the Lake Lake Martin Area Real Estate Indicators Sales Month October 2016 October 2013 October 2010

Number of sales

Average selling price

Median selling price

Days on the market

Total houses for sale

Inventory/ sales ratio

20 23 13

$410,125 $374,051 $410,125

$345,950 $283,000 $345,950

214 256 214

266 312 266

10.04 15.60 10.04

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

Treasured Island Adoption Sasha Steward grew up on Lake Martin and has fond memories of camping out on an island near Bay Pine Marina. She said the family motto was to always leave the places they visited on the lake better than the way they found them. Now that she has adopted the island, she is teaching her 6-year old what it means to take care of our Treasured Lake. Whenever they go out to the island, they take trash bags and rakes with them to clean up what people have left behind. Steward said the ongoing cleanup effort will be a family affair; besides her son and husband, she has enlisted the help of her parents and grandparents to care for the lake they love.

Don't let them steal your boat Is your boat less than 26 feet? Does it have outboard motor power and rest on a trailer? If you said yes, beware – you’re a big target for theft. A new study that looked at five years of BoatUS Marine Insurance claims files showed that 75 percent of all boats stolen matched this description. With the long winter lay-up, here are some tips to make your boat harder to steal. Just one lock? Try another – and another. You can’t have enough. The goal is to make your boat look unattractive, so the more locks a thief sees – on the trailer tongue, outboard engine or used with chain around the trailer wheels – the better the chance he’ll move on. Don’t leave the key on a stored boat. Never assume your key’s hiding place is so good that thieves won’t find it. Remember, that’s what these people do for a living. Make the trailer impossible to move. A removable tongue hitch or, better yet, removing the trailer tires if the boat is going into longterm storage, turns your rig into one ton of dead weight. The little things can help, too, such as not parking your boat in the driveway with the hitch facing the street. Consider using removable trailer lights – with most thieves working the nightshift, they want to avoid attracting the attention that an unlit trailer would draw. Don’t stick out. You may want to think twice about hanging a “For Sale” sign on the side of your boat. Use a full winter cover to hide attention-getting, splashy graphics. Store all valuables, removable electronics and paperwork at home during the off-season. Check out new anti-theft technologies. Devices that send alerts to your cell phone, take photos/video, provide tracking or kill the motor if your boat moves from its virtual boundary can stop a thief in his tracks. Once a boat is gone, the BoatUS study found, only one in 10 vessels are ever fully recovered.

Lake Levels During the Last month

Lake Martin's Weather Outlook for December

Summer: 491 MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 485.05 Lowest: 483.67 Lake elevations are subject to change. Individuals who recreate below Martin Dam and those with boats and water-related equipment on the lake should always stay alert to changing conditions.

Year to Date

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

Precipitation: 37.87 inches Avg. high temp.: 79.5 Avg. low temp.: 54.6 Average temp.: 67.0

Our Normal December Precipitation: 4.90 inches Avg. high temp.: 57.3 Avg. low temp.: 33.9 Average temp.: 45.6 DECEMBER 2016

December 2016 Forecast

Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the upper 50s with lows in the low mid 30s and about 4.5 inches of precipitation in the month of December. The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will remain slightly above average this month and rainfall averages will remain slightly below normal. Information from the National Weather Service.

LAKE 9

LAKE SCENE

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

PEOPLE AND PLACES

1 4

Reader Submissions (1) Lily Abernathy strikes a pose during her leap from the dock. (2) Jack McBurnett played at the Wind Creek State Park campground with the Kinman family. 3) Father and son, John Shelton Sr. and Jr., spent time together fishing from the dock at The Ridge. (4) Merritt Fulmer, age 10, catches a ride behind the boat on the shoulders of her 17-year-old cousin Madeline Meredith. (5) Carrie Rushton sent us this photo of the double rainbow that appeared just before the candle-lighting ceremony to honor and remember fallen campers at Camp Smile-A-Mile at Children's Harbor. (6) Johna Channell found this sunrise on Lake Martin to be particularly inspiring during morning devotions.

6 10 LAKE

DECEMBER 2016

LAKE SCENE

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

PEOPLE AND PLACES

1 4

3 5

Reader Submissions (1) Brice Collins shows off the fish he caught in Lake Martin on Memorial Day. (2) Tracey Hodge sent this photo of a firey sky reflected on the water at sunset over Lake Martin. (3) Mike and Elyce Thompson's grandsons Jack and Grayson take a patriotic plunge at Parker Creek. (4) Nels Coker makes a daring jump while wakesurfing. (5) Fay Dinken just happened to snap this photo on her cellphone at the same time that lightning struck near her home at Curry Point on Lake Martin.

DECEMBER 2016

LAKE 11

LAKE SCENE

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

PEOPLE AND PLACES

Reader Submissions (1) Madison and Lucy Comer celebrated Lucy's first July Fourth as an American citizen on Lake Martin. (2) Lyles Griffin and John Peacock of Tallahassee, Florida, enjoy boating on the lake. (3) Hayes Boyd feeds the geese off his family's dock. (4) The chapel at Children's Harbor holds sentinel on a starry Lake Martin night. (5) Lauren, Caylee and Zoe the maltipoo enjoy a swan boat ride. (6) Tyler Fuller eats an ice cream during a stop at Harbor Pointe Marina. (7) Zac Contorno snapped this photo of Cole Maxwell wake boarding at Parker Creek.

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DECEMBER 2016

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We know life is unexpected, especially during the holidays. • Experienced emergency staff • Overwhelming patient satisfaction • Trauma and chopper experience • Shorter wait times

EMERGENCY SERVICES PHYSICIANS Dr. Lee England, M.D. (not pictured) Dr. Robert Schuster, M.D. Dr. John Durant, M.D. Kim Robertson, CRNP Sharon Hamlin, CRNP Heath Daniel, CRNP (not pictured) Kathy Pitts, CRNP (not pictured)

We have an incredible team at Tallapoosa EMS.

Hospital

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Primary Care

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201 Mariarden Road Dadeville, AL 36853 DECEMBER 2016 LAKE 13 www.ivycreekhealth.com

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LAKE?

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

PEOPLE AND PLACES

5 6

Reader Submissions (1) Johnny Moran, Mitzi Bishop Moran, Angie Stone, Hallie McDonald, Olyvia McDonald, Heather Noel Johnson, Glenda Michelle McDonald, Brittni McDonaldMoran and Tyler Moran took Lake along on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. (2) Lynda and Steve Dunton took Lake magazine to Crested Butte, Colorado. (3) Freddie and Linda Daughtry and Jim and Nancy Crew took Lake to Islamorada for some fun in the sun. (4) Kirsten and Steve Knutson took the July issue of Lake for a swim at St. Kitts. (5) Tony and Nina Johnson and John and Susan Prophitt took Lake magazine to Hoover Dam. (6) Lake magazine attended Scott Cone and Liz Lowe's wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica with Ty Fields, Debbie Dunaway, Kelly Shores and Chad Shores.

14 LAKE

DECEMBER 2016

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LAKE?

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

PEOPLE AND PLACES

Reader Submissions (1) Andrew, George, Catherine, Henry and Andy Meehan took Lake on a cruise to Kalymnos, Greece. (2) Lake travelled to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with John, Lori, Annie, Lucy and John Henry Kirkpatrick. (3) Will, Traci and Mickey Sewell took Lake for a history lesson to Utah Beach in Normandy, France. (4) Steve and Jean Baker of Equality took Lake to Wasilla, Alaska. (5) James Gillis took Lake shark diving at Atlantis in July. (6) Steve and Ann Hester and Ralph and Teresa Stanford took Lake for a lobster dive in Key West. (7) Mike Zadroga and Kevin, Ryan and Sean Henderson took Lake fishing at Silver Water Wheel Lodge on Lac Seul, Dryden, Ontario. (8) Clay Duncan took Lake to the Montouk Point Lighthouse in Long Island, New York.

DECEMBER 2016

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FALL HOME PROMOTION All Model Homes Qualify for an Extra $6,999 in UPGRADES! Screen Porch, Appliances, Landscaping. You Choose! PROMOTION GOOD THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2016. ALL SALES MUST CLOSE ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31, 2016

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GRAND OPENING - NEW HOMES LOCATED ON GRAND NATIONAL GOLF COURSE

16 LAKE

DECEMBER 2016

Dec. 1 A Tennessee Christmas

Alexander City Arts Council will present A Tennessee Christmas at Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium, 225 Heard Blvd., Alexander City, at 7 p.m. A Tennessee Christmas highlights Meagan Taylor and Jason Coleman’s vocal harmonies, as well as the fingerstyle guitar and slip note piano made famous by Meagan’s uncle, Chet Atkins, and Jason’s grandfather, Floyd Cramer. The show features a mix of vocal and instrumental songs that celebrate all that is good about Christmas. Call 256-496-2424 or email karenjennings124@ gmail.com with ‘Arts Council’ in the subject line for more information.

Dec. 1-10 An Eclectic Christmas

unsightly litter while taking a healthy walk helps to improve your physical and mental well being while helping to keep the Lake Martin community beautiful. For information, contact John Thompson at 334-399-3289.

Dec. 2-3 Tallassee Christmas Kick-off

Join this annual holiday event at Tallassee Veterans Park in front of City Hall from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Kids will give their Christmas lists to Santa from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Shop at the holiday vendor booths from noon until 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday. And don’t miss the Christmas parade at 10 a.m. For information or to enter the parade ($10 charge), contact the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce at 334283-5151.

Admission is free, Dec. 3 CALENDAR OF EVENTS but reservations are sugMillbrook gested for this annual Christmas Parade Nativity event that draws WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN The theme for thousands to Eclectic this year’s Spirit of each year. The tour, Christmas Parade in Horseshoe Bend National Military accompanied by Roman Millbrook is “An Old Park will host an open house soldiers on horseback, Fashioned Christmas.” with luminaries, refreshments and includes a visit to a Senior citizens will ornament-making on Dec. 5 peasant cottage enroute be the grand marshals to Bethlehem, a glorifor this year’s event, ous choir of angels that which starts at 2 p.m. appear on the hillside, at the sportplex behind a village street and a Smokehouse Bar-B-Q humble stable. More and ends at City Hall. than 200 volunteers take For parade entry or part in this incredible vendor booth informashow that transforms tion, call Kathy Kelley a rural Elmore County at 334-322-9871 or call pasture into the historic Barb or Linda at 334setting of Christ’s birth. 85-7231. Event takes place at the Falk Farm, 1733 Claude Dec. 3 Rd., Eclectic. Donations are welcome to help Christmas Open with expenses, and House handicapped visitors can A Christmas Open be accommodated at the House will be provided 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. tours. by merchants in the Town of Eclectic beginning at 11 a.m. Visit www.aneclecticministry.org. For reservations, call 334The traditional Christmas parade will begin at 4 p.m., followed 578-4846 or email reservations@aneclecticministry.org. by the lighting of the Christmas tree.

Dec. 1 Spirit of Christmas in Millbrook

The City of Millbrook’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on the Village Green. There will be caroling, a live Nativity and refreshments for sale in addition to the lighting of the tree.

Dec. 3 PATH Trash Walk

Monthly trash walks resume this month as volunteers meet at Elkahatchee Bridge on State Route 63 at 8:30 a.m. for cleanup assignments and supplies. Remember that picking up

Dec. 4 Christmas Cantata

Red Ridge United Methodist Church will present its Christmas cantata, Night of the Father’s Love, by Pepper Choplin at 9:30 a.m., performed by the choir and assisted by an orchestra of community musicians under the direction of Dr. Kim Walls. A dramatization of the Nativity scene will be included.

Dec. 5 Alexander City Christmas Parade

Presented by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce,

DECEMBER 2016

LAKE 17

join the fun as one of East Alabama’s largest parades winds through downtown with elaborate floats, dancers, bands, Santa Claus and more! This year's theme is “Christmas Carols.” Call 256-234-3461 for more information.

Dec. 5 Horseshoe Bend Open House

The Horseshoe Bend National Military Park will host a free holiday open house with luminaries from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5. Refreshments will be served in the Visitor Center. A table with supplies will be available for children to make ornaments to take home.

Dec. 6 Choral Christmas Concert

Alexander City students will delight audiences with their musical accomplishments at the Alexander City Schools Choral Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. in the Benjamin Russell High School auditorium.

Dec. 7 Band Christmas Concert

The Benjamin Russell High School band will celebrate the season with a Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. at the BRHS Auditorium.

Dec. 8 The Vision

Turn the television to WAXC TV Channel 3 at 7 p.m. for the Alexander City Theatre II production of The Vision by William Grandgeorge. The play features local actors retelling an old Bavarian folk tale about a shoemaker who has a vision that Christ will visit his humble shop on Christmas Eve Day.

Dec. 8 Wetumpka Tree Lighting

Santa will be available for photos at 5 p.m. at Gold Star Park, and the annual lighting of the City of Wetumpka Christmas Tree will take place at 6 p.m. For details, visit www. cityofwetumpka.com.

Dec. 8 Music of the Season

Under the direction of Mr. Jerry Cunningham, local singers present a program of Christmas and seasonal musical selections. Choral, ensemble and solo pieces will be included, all guaranteed to get you in the mood of the season. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Tallassee High School Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and can be purchased at the door. For information, contact Mona Mills at 334-201-4892.

Dec. 9 Nativity/Luminary Night

Wetumpka’s annual downtown celebration of the season continues with the luminary display and Nativity at 6 p.m. For details, visit www.cityofwetumpka.com. 18 LAKE

Dec. 10 Christmas on the Coosa

The annual Wetumpka Christmas event kicks off with the Character Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. There will be arts and crafts on display and available for purchase from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and the car show from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Then, line up along the parade route for the 2 p.m. street parade. Santa will ski in for the fireworks show at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.cityofwetumpka.com.

Dec. 10 Christmas in the Park

Get in the spirit of Christmas fun at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex in Alexander City. There will be music, food, arts and crafts and activities for kids and kids-at-heart, including the Wild Side Reindeer Race to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lake Martin Area. Call 256-329-6736 or visit www.acpr.me for more information.

Dec. 11 Christmas Concert

The Dadeville High School and Councill Middle School Bands will host a Christmas Concert at 6 p.m. at the DHS Auditorium.

Dec. 11 Dadeville Christmas Parade

The theme for this year's Christmas Parade is “Spirit of a Hometown Christmas.” The parade begins at 3 p.m., though vendors will be around the Courthouse Square at 1 p.m. To enter a float, contact the Chamber office at 256-825-4019.

Dec. 12 Community Christmas Party

The Red Hill community will celebrate the season at 6 p.m. at the Red Hill Community Club, 3554 Red Hill Rd., Tallassee. For information, visit www.redhillcommunityclub. com.

Dec. 13 All Natural Christmas Pageant

The Reeltown Volunteer Fire Department will present the inaugural All Natural Christmas Pageant at the Reeltown High School Cafetorium. The event is open to all boys and girls from infancy to 12th grade. All proceeds will benefit the Reeltown Volunteer Fire Dept. For more information contact Terre Funderburk at terre.george@yahoo.com.

Dec. 13-18 Cinnamon Grits: Christmas in the South

It’s holiday fun with this companion piece to last season’s Grits the Musical. That’s Girls Raised in the South, y’all, with a little cinnamon Christmas seasoning. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 15-17 and 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at Wetumpka Depot Theatre.

DECEMBER 2016

Dec. 14 Music of Christmas

Season-Long Events

A Wind Ensemble presents this concert along with the adult choir and cast of the First Baptist Church, at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Dadeville. This 20-piece ensemble is comprised of students from Auburn University.

Dec. 31 Wetumpka New Year’s Eve Celebration

Shower in the New Year with the Strike of Wetumpka’s Meteor! The celebration will begin with POW/MIA recognition at the Old Elmore County Courthouse. At 9:30 p.m., behind the Wetumpka Civic Center, Shawn Singleton with DJG Entertainment will entertain the crowd with a variety of tunes from all genres. Then, at 11:59 p.m., the countdown will begin for the midnight Meteor Strike and Fireworks, sponsored by Wind Creek Wetumpka, to start the New Year with a bang.

Jan. 14 Treasure Island

Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store

Located on Highway 63 just south of Lake Martin Amphitheater, the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store is open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You never know what gems you might find – from clothes and household items to boats. Proceeds are used to help fund the activities at the Lake Martin campus of Children’s Harbor and the Family Center at Children’s Hospital. Call 334-857-2008 for more information.

Memory Makers Quilt Guild

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

Real Island Supper

The Missoula Children’s Theatre will present Treasure Island, an original adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s epic novel, at 5:30 p.m. at the Tallassee High School Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for children and $5 for students. Treasure Island: It’ll shiver your timbers!

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

DECEMBER 2016

LAKE 19

The Swing Bed Program AT COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

805 Friendship Road Tallassee, AL 36078 (334) 283-6541 www.chal.org

Community Skilled Care and Rehab Helping Patients Transition from Hospital to Home When Rehabilitative Care is Needed.

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• Generalized weakness • IV medication therapy • Recovery following an accident • Rehabilitation following surgery, stroke, or heart attack. • Rehabilitation following acute care inpatient hospital stay

• Low patient to nurse ratio • 24-hour physician in-house • Dietary, nutritional, and social services • Team approach to recovery & discharge • Coordinated & planned activities program • Nursing care provided by experienced RNs and LPNs • Physical, occupational, respiratory, and speech therapy

For more information call: (334) 283-3848 or E-mail: bnelson@chal.org

Community Skilled Care and Rehab A division of

Community Hospital 20 LAKE

DECEMBER 2016

Lake Martin News Sunday alcohol sales now countywide

Tallapoosa County voters last month passed the Sunday sale of alcohol by a large margin, opening the doors to alcohol purchases on Sundays after Nov. 20. While the numbers show it was something the people wanted, local businesses probably wanted it even more. There were close to 5,000 in favor of Sunday alcohol sales in the county with 7,573 votes total on the resolution. Ultimately, it passed 4,800 to 2,773. “I think it’s going to help business a ton,” said Niffer’s on the Lake manager Charlie Pack. Pack said he has been manager at that location for eight years and with Niffer’s for 13. “A lot of people come in on Sundays, and they ask us whether or not we can sell alcohol,” Pack said. As for the effect it would have on business at Niffer’s and elsewhere, he said, “I think it’s going to make it excellent. We turned away so much business especially on holidays.” He said they lost thousands of dollars because of the restriction. Pack said they announced that when Sunday sales were on the way the restaurant broke into a cheer. He said they were considering drink specials also. At least two local convenience stores have fliers up announcing the new move to Sunday sales. Dadeville’s Store 34 owner and manager Mike Patel said he regularly had to direct customers to Camp Hill when someone came to his store for alcohol on Sunday. “Yeah, I think it’ll bring in a lot of customers,” said Patel. “It will be good for the customers.” Patel said it would be even better in the summer though, when the seasonal tourism returns to the area. ~ Corey Arwood

Drought takes a toll on lake area

Most people don’t need a meteorologist or an alert from the governor or the power company to tell them that it hasn’t rained for months, and most of our area is experiencing severe drought conditions. But Alabama Power issued another Lake Level Alert Friday, cautioning residents that lake levels may fall below winter pool if significant rain doesn’t come soon. The drought affecting all of Alabama continues to reduce flows in rivers and streams that feed Alabama Power’s lakes, including Lake Martin. The conditions have resulted in levels at Alabama Power reservoirs falling below typical elevations for this time of year. Alabama Power has further reduced water releases from its hydroelectric dams, consistent with its federal licenses. The company suspended recreational releases from Jordan Dam on the Coosa River and is working with government agencies, municipalities, businesses and community groups in communication efforts to conserve water.

Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail Director Joanne Ninesling unveiled a bird trail designation sign at the area's state park

Wind Creek joins Alabama Bird Trail

Wind Creek State Park, home to hundreds of avian variations, has received new trail signage highlighting the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail and the Alabama Birding Trails (ABT) systems. Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail Director Joanna Ninesling delivered the presentation to the small crowd gathered in front of the park’s marina and store that morning. “With over 270 official sites and with over 400 birds that call Alabama home, we are pleased to partner with Alabama State Parks and with Wind Creek State Park to provide the best location for viewing birds year round,” said Ninesling. Pine forests, hardwoods, “upper story, mid story and lower story” environments, grasses and foliage, plus food sources combined with clear water of Lake Martin, made it a destination for resident and migrant birds alike, Ninesling said. She gave an example of what would seem an unlikely source to create a good environment for birds, which was formed from a violent and destructive natural force that had brought in more species of birds. Tornado damage from years past had created new habitat, attracting birds that chose dead woods, native grasses, or open areas for hunting and nesting, Ninesling said. “There are some birds that prefer dead wood to a nice gooey pine tree,” she said laughing. Ninesling said there were even ongoing longleaf pine restoration efforts that provided “a critical habitat” in attracting the endangered red cockaded woodpecker. Alabama is second only to Florida in the eastern U.S. in plant and animal species, according to ABT information.

~ Mitch Sneed and David Granger DECEMBER 2016

~ Corey Arwood LAKE 21

Lake Martin's Canary Islands J

ust as Spain’s Canary Islands archipelago off the southern coast of Morocco sees a lot of cruise traffic, so do Lake Martin’s own Canary Islands north of the Chimney Rock recreational area. With GPS coordinates at 32.72549 and -85.89094, the East Central Alabama Canaries include five irregularly shaped islands immediately south of the point where Blue Creek flows into the Tallapoosa River; in fact, the riverbed flows right through them, separating the archipelago’s largest island from

The Canary Islands are situated just south of the mouth of Lake Martin's Blue Creek

The five islands hold almost 24 acres, more than half of which is included on Wishbone Island

22 LAKE

DECEMBER 2016

the four smaller ones. The largest of these northern hemisphere Canary Islands is commonly known by the name of Wishbone Island, as its telltale shape is strikingly similar to the forked furcula on a Christmas turkey. Wishbone Island includes 6,318 feet of natural and undeveloped shoreline around 14.81 acres. The cove at Wishbone Island is a popular mooring area for the lake’s cabin cruisers and larger pontoons, as it provides a quiet place to tie up for the afternoon. The second largest island in the grouping also goes by the name of River Island. It has 2,245 feet of shoreline and 3.88 acres. The remaining islands to the east of River Island are un-named at 1.5, 2.37 and .83 acres, respectively. These vulnerable islands took a direct hit five years ago when a tornado blew across the lake. The damage to the trees on Wishbone and River islands is still evident, though the landscape is recovering with noticeable regrowth. While Wishbone and River islands sit in deeper water and can be passed without difficulty, the three smaller

islands are almost connected with a network with sand bars that must be crossed slowly and carefully to avoid prop damage. The trade-off is that these islands are reputed to be great for fishing and even are marked as a fishing habitat drop on the lake map. Unlike their subtropical oceanic counterparts, Lake Martin’s Canary Islands are available for camping, hiking, picnicking and other public recreational activities, as are all of the natural and undeveloped Alabama Power Company islands and shoreline at Lake Martin; however, these Canaries are not very private. The area sees a lot of boat traffic as visitors come and go to the lake’s biggest tourist draw, Chimney Rock, and they are directly south of the run from Blue Creek to open water. Unfortunately, that means these tiny islands see a lot of wave action, and their banks show signs of erosion, so please be mindful of the No Wake markers and hazard buoys around this little archipelago. The shorelines of these small islands also collect a good bit of litter,

DECEMBER 2016

Timbergut Landing

280

Horseshoe Bend National Park

Jaybird Landing

Alexander City

Camp ASCCA

9 Flint Hill Church 280

49 22

Jacksons Gap Piney Woods Landing

Wind Creek State Park

280 Pleasant Grove Church

Alex City Boat Ramp

Mt. Zion Church

259 9

Dadeville

Bethel Church

128

Russell Farms Baptist Church

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Friendship Church

280 New Hope Church

Liberty Church

Camp Hill

Smith Landing Willow Point

Pleasant Ridge Church

63 Camp Alamisco

Equality

Kowaliga Boat Landing

Lake Martin Baptist Church 49 Church of the Living Waters

The Ridge

Seman

Church in The Pines Camp Kiwanis

Trillium

Stillwaters

Union Landing

Children’s Harbor The Amp Ko

lig

a Ba

Walnut Hill

Central

Canary Islands

50 50

Union

Union Church

Red Hill 63

49 229

Eclectic

GEOGRAPHY 101 Tallassee

Kent

Reeltown

STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

as they serve as a breakwater for the flow of the lake to the south. Designated as islands T (Wishbone), O (River) and M (the last three) in Segment X of the recently launched Adopt an Island/Treasured Mile cleanup program, these islands remained available for adoption at Lake’s presstime prior to Thanksgiving. For information about helping these islands through the adoption program, visit www.lmra.org.

LAKE 23

Record Renewal! 250 volunteers collect more than 20 tons of trash in annual cleanup effort at Lake Martin STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS SUBMITTED

he drought had a positive impact in the record amount of trash collected in the Renew Our Rivers cleanup at Lake Martin last month, said Lake Martin Resource Association (LMRA) President John Thompson. More than 20 tons of trash and 100 tires were delivered to dumpsters around the lake, partly due to volunteers having access to dried up sloughs and other areas that are usually too wet to enter, Thompson said. "No doubt the drought definitely contributed. We were able to get into some of those places up into the sloughs where the trash gets pushed up. Under the normal rule curve, we would not have gotten the amounts of debris that we did," Thompson explained. "The drought gave us a jumpstart in doing precleanup, and we were able to start collections outside the curve early on.” Some 250 volunteers helped with the annual cleanup effort, and this year's project - sponsored by Alabama Power Company, Wind Creek State Park, TowBoat US, Lake Martin

Dock Company, the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce and Russell Lands On Lake Martin - helped to make this year’s cleanup successful, Thompson said. “They really stepped up and did a great job,” Thompson said. “Without their help we would not have been nearly as successful. We knocked it out of the park. It is probably the single largest amount of trash removed from the lake ever. “We collected over 100 tires at Wind Creek; that does not get the ones at Kowaliga and Blue Creek. The amazing thing was that some still had rims and others were large enough for tractor trailers.” The Tallapoosa County Commission will handle disposal of the tires, as those cannot be included with the litter, cans and bottles, Thompson said. “As the water continues to go down, we will try to go back into Elkahatchee Creek,” Thompson said. “We will also take calls and continue to scout the rest of the lake for potential cleanup efforts.”

Russell Lands On Lake Martin employees, officers and associates turned out in force to clean up litter and trash along roadways and shoreline at Lake Martin for this year's Renew Our Rivers effort. From left: Janet Price, Ronica Norrell, Steve Arnberg, Joy Stephenson, Carolyn Hodo, Karen Posey, Ann Funderburk, Hugh Neighbors, Tammi Montgomery, Robert Gunn, Wendy Powell, Sammy Teel, Steve Forehand, Justin Clayton, Tom Lamberth, Tyler Mitchell, Chad Calhoun, Chris Brumlik, Larry Bates, John Adair, Cary Whiteard, Heath Wright (not pictured: Mack Daugherty, Tommy Peavy, Buffy Green).

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DECEMBER 2016

This year's 250 volunteers collected more than 20 tons of trash at Lake Martin, taking advantage of sloughs that were dry from lack of rain. Among the laborers who love Lake Martin were (clockwise from left) Peggy Mary Leigh Meredith, Jimmy and Annette Huett, Trudy Morris, Nita and Chuck Hicks, Ron and Deborah Bell, Charles Borden, Charlotte and Will Denton, Chester Bell, Lynda Davis, Bud and Carroll Nason, Paul and Dianne Perrett, Francis Allred, John Coram and Preston Cauthen; Peggy Durbin and Greg Griffith; Tom Thomas, Ruben Thorton, Peggy Durbin and Norm White; Paul and Dianne Perrett and Alyson Reynolds; Chester Bell and Alyson Reynolds; and Bill Thompson.

DECEMBER 2016

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Renew Our Rivers

Francis Allred, chuck Hicks, Chester Bell, Nita Hicks, Lynda Davis, Linda Reynolds, Charles Borden and Lee Reynolds

LETTER TO THE EDITOR BY JOHN THOMPSON

Jacob Meacham, Ed Collari, Carla Culligan and Kim Dunn

Norm White, Tammy McVicker, Billy Barrett, John Thompson and Tonya and Ken Holland

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Dear Editor, I am pleased to announce that the 2016 Lake Martin Resource Association (LMRA) Renew our Rivers Lake Martin Community cleanup Nov. 4 and 5 was the most successful ever. The weather was perfect, and the volunteers who showed up worked hard with one goal in mind: To pick up all of the trash from selected Lake Martin shoreline areas, along with certain adjacent roadsides. The two-day effort attracted more than 200 volunteers who combined efforts in removing nearly 20 tons of assorted trash and automobile tires. Young volunteers from Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Benjamin Russell’s Junior Naval ROTC joined representatives from Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, USTowBoat Lake Martin, Lake Martin Dock Company, Wind Creek State Park, LMRA, Alabama Power Company and the Alexander City Rescue Squad. Several lake residents added their personal boats to the fleet, which hauled more than 700 bags of assorted trash to dumpsters located around the lake. All of these volunteers deserve a big “thank you” for a job well done, but this year’s over-the-top success would not have been possible without the tremendous effort by three individuals who, during the weeks leading up to the event, were responsible for filling the major portion of the bags, as well as piling up most of the tires. Ken Holland and his wife Tonya along with Tonya’s sister, Tammie McVicker, walked the shoreline in Dennis Creek and Wind Creek, as well as other nearby areas, and completely removed every piece of trash, some of which had been there since Lake Martin was formed. Occasionally joining that trio were Bill Thompson, Norm White, Billy Barrett and Billy Harrison, who also deserve special recognition for their tremendous efforts. The Renew Our Rivers event concluded on Saturday with a great “hot dog” lunch provided by Marshall Griffin, Laurie Carter and others from Alabama Power Company. We also offer our sincere gratitude to Betsy Iler, managing editor of Lake magazine, and Mitch Sneed, editor of The Alexander City Outlook, for all of the great articles supporting the event. Sincerely, John Thompson President Lake Martin Resource Association

DECEMBER 2016

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LAKE 27

NATURE OF THE LAKE BY KENNETH BOONE

The Lunatics Guide to Moon Watching In response to last month's supermoon mania, Lake brings you the lowdown on lunar lore

he Moon became a star on Nov. 14 when it achieved “Supermoon” status. “Supermoon” means the Moon and Earth are at their closest point in the Moon’s orbit at the same time that the Moon phase is full. The last time it was as close was Jan. 26, 1948; the next time will be Nov. 25, 2034. All that combined to make the November Supermoon a big deal. But the Moon is always a big deal in our night sky. It’s the closest celestial body to Earth, the brightest object in the night sky and changes appearances constantly. As a result, the Moon holds an unparalleled fascination for people today, just as it has since the first humans looked toward the heavens. People lucky enough to spend time on Lake Martin are doubly blessed with lunar observations since the relatively dark areas around our lake make the Moon look that much brighter than when it is viewed from a lit-up city, and the Moon’s reflection in the still

28 LAKE

night lake surface makes any lunar viewing twice as much fun. So for our Nature of the Lake feature this month, we decided to take an in-depth look at the Moon. First off, the Moon is a moon. The capital ‘M’ Moon is the name of the celestial body that orbits Earth. Our Moon is also a lower case ‘moon,’ which is the word used to describe any large body orbiting a planet. There are a total of 173 moons in our solar system orbiting the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite. It is about a fourth the size of Earth, with a diameter of 2,159 miles. To put that in perspective, the United States is about 2,680 miles wide. The surface area of the Moon is about 14.6 million square miles, less than the surface area of Asia, which covers about 17.2 million square miles. Scientists think the moon is 4.6 billion years old.

DECEMBER 2016

a big step. Earth’s moon is only the fifth largest moon in our Only 12 people have ever walked on the Moon, solar system – Ganymede, which orbits Jupiter, is and all were American males who experienced the largest moon in our system at 3,273 miles wide. weight loss only dreamed about by the folks on the Next in size is Titan, which orbits Saturn, and then South Beach Diet. The Moon’s gravity is about 17 Callisto and Io, which orbit Jupiter. Europa, which percent of gravity on Earth. That means a person also orbits Jupiter, comes in sixth place after our who weighs 100 pounds on Earth would weigh only moon. 17 pounds on the Moon. As a result, a person who The Moon’s orbit around Earth is an elliptical, not could jump 10 feet on Earth could jump almost 60 circular, which means that, at times, it is closer to feet on the Moon, a Earth than other feat only dreamed times. It takes 27.3 about by high jumpdays for the Moon ers the world over. to orbit the Earth, Back on Earth, we roughly – but not see the Moon graduequal to – a month ally change shapes on our modern caleach month. The endar. phases of the Moon The moon is are really our point of made of rock and view of the sunlight does not emit light. side of the Moon as it When we see the orbits the Earth. moon in the sky, To understand we are seeing the lunar phases, it Sun’s light hitting helps to understand one side of the four lunar terms. Moon. “Crescent” means less The same side of than half the Moon the Moon always is lit by the sun so faces the Earth. that it appears like a With apologies to thumbnail. “Gibbous” Pink Floyd, there means more than half is no such thing as the moon is lit by “The Dark Side of the sun, so it appears the Moon” since as a lopsided ball. both sides receive “Waxing” means the same amount growing, and “wanof sunlight as the ing” means shrinking. Moon rotates; A lunar eclipse however, since the is when the Moon, Moon rotates on Some would say climbing the Smith Mountain Fire Tower at night Earth and Sun are its axis at exactly to witness last month's supermoon up close was lunatic - a term lined up in that order the same rate that coined in the 13th century to refer to those whose strange behavior so that the Earth’s the Moon rotates was believed to be affected by the moon shadow travels across around the Earth, the Moon. we only see one A solar eclipse is face of the Moon. when the three bodies The other (not are lined up so that the Moon passes in front of the dark) side of the Moon has been seen in sunlight by sun and its shadow travels across the Earth. only a few humans – those who saw it from a spaceHave you ever noticed that the Moon appears craft. much larger when it first rises above the horizon Neil Armstrong, a member of the Apollo 11 crew, than when it is high in the sky? That’s an optical was the first person to ever set foot on the Moon, in illusion called the “Ponzo Illusion” caused by our 1969. When he stepped from the lunar module onto minds comparing the Moon to trees and other objects the Moon’s surface, the people on Earth heard his it passes by on the horizon. The photo of the Moon famous words, “That’s one small step for man, one behind the Smith Mountain Fire Tower on the cover giant leap for mankind,” transmitted by radio; however, Armstrong said the world heard wrong, explain- of this issue looks huge in comparison to the tower; however, if you hold your thumb beside the Moon as ing that what he really said was, “That’s one small it comes over the horizon, and then again when it is step for a man, one giant leap for mankind,” which makes more sense. No matter how you hear it, it was high in the sky, you will see it is the same size comDECEMBER 2016

LAKE 29

pared to your thumb in both instances. And about that supermoon – if you missed it last month, you’re in luck. There’s another slightly smaller supermoon coming on Dec. 14, the last of three that occur in 2016. The next big buzz-worthy celestial event viewable from Alabama will be coming this summer on Aug. 21, when there will be a total solar eclipse visible from the United States. On that day, the Moon will pass in front of the sun, completely blocking the sun and making its corona visible from many parts of the U.S., including nearby in Tennessee and North Carolina. The event will appear as a partial lunar eclipse from most of North America, including the Lake Martin area. The last total solar eclipse visible from the United States was in 1979, the next time will be in 2024. It’s a biggie, an event rarer than a Blue Moon, which, by the way is when two full moons fall in the same calendar month. In fact, there will be four Blue Moons before the next total solar eclipse in 2024, and half of them will occur in 2018 – on Jan. 2 and 31 and March 2 and 31 – making 2018 a double Blue Moon year, a superrare event that won’t happen again until 2037. Which, if you remember, is three years after the next supermoon in 2034. If you would like to know more about the Moon, check out NASA’s 4-1/2 minute video, Narrated Tour of the Moon, on YouTube. Another website full of good lunar information is Space.com. Some information for this article came from NASA, www.space.com, www.earthsky.org and www.ianridpath.com.

Summer solstice in June of this year

Did you know? Phases of the moon

New Moon

Waxing Crescent

First Quarter

Waxing Gibbous

Full

Waning Gibbous

Third Quarter

Waning Crescent

There are eight primary lunar phases: New Moon – The Moon is in full shadow since it is between the Earth and the Sun. This is the darkest time night sky and the best time to observe stars from Earth, as the other side (not dark side) is in full sunlight. Waxing Crescent – The right quarter appears as a sunlit crescent while the left three quarters of the Moon are in shadow as the moon appears to be growing. First Quarter – We see the right half of the Moon in sunlight while the left half is in shadow. Waxing Gibbous – We see the right three quarters of the Moon in sunlight while the left quarter is in shadow and the Moon continues to “grow.” Full – Sunlight shines past the Earth and onto the Moon, so we see it as a full circle of sunlight lighting up the entire face of the Moon. Waning Gibbous – The left three quarters of the Moon are lit by the sun, and the right quarter is in shadow as the moon begins “shrinking.” Third Quarter – The left half of the Moon is sunlit, and the right half is in shadow. Waning Crescent – Sunlight strikes only the left quarter of the Moon while the right three quarters are in shadow, making the moon appear to be shrinking to the new moon phase.

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LAKE 31

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DECEMBER 2016

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DECEMBER 2016

LAKE 33

BOATING GIFTS! 34 LAKE

The kids will love sand pails, water guns and books about Lake Martin; Right: from top: Yeti coolers; Lake Martin apparell; and paddleboards are on someone's wish list this year

STORY & PHOTOS BY MITCH EMMONS

rguably, if a person lives on the lake, boats on the lake and is blessed to enjoy all that the lake has to offer, he or she probably already has everything, so what Christmas gift do you give the boater who already has everything? This season’s hot items, according to boating magazines, include coolers (Yeti, Orca, etc.); paddleboards and kayaks; drink tumblers; fishing equipment and electronics; boating apparel and clothing accessories. We looked around the lake, and from high-ticket items to bargain-budget, stocking stuffers to the big box under the tree, the local marketplace is stocked with excellent gift ideas for the boater on your list. The marine stores, bait shops and retail businesses around Lake Martin can supply top-quality items and name brands that will make your favorite lake-lover smile. “We sell some big-ticket items during the holidays, like boats and personal water craft,” said Steven Yearkey at Alexander City Marine, “but most of our sales involve lower-cost items, such as tow tubes, wake boards and fishing electronics. A lot of our regular customers are year-round fishermen, and we carry a full line of top-brand fishing electronics.” Recognized brands that can be found at Alexander City Marine include Minn Kota, MotorGuide, Lawrence, Hummingbird and Power Pole, among others. “Every boater needs a cooler,” said Tabitha Arledge, a clerk at Blue Creek Marina’s Wake Shop store. “We probably sell more coolers and wake boards than any other single item.” Floating mats, tow tubes, wake and paddleboards and branded accessories also are big movers at Blue Creek, Arledge added. Among the brands available at the Wake Shop are Yeti coolers and accessories, Obrien tow tubes, Liquid Force wake boards and Lilly Pad and Maui floating mats. The same can be said for Russell Marine, where in addition to Lake Martin and commercially-branded apparel (including Yeti), shoppers can find a variety of water toys and even a children’s book about Lake Martin, written by a local author. “We have the big items, like wake and paddle boards as well,” said Russell Marine Merchandising Manager Scott Goslin. “Also, our kayaks are popular this year.” Among brands available at Russell Marine are Hyperlite and Byerly wake boards, Connelly tubes DECEMBER 2016

and accessories, Chill Raft floating mats, Evoke kayaks and Coreley paddleboards. A broad assortment of branded apparel items is stocked at Lake Martin Mini Mall on Highway 63 at Kowaliga. The store also is a local dealer of the popular Big Green Egg grill line, as well as Orca brand coolers and accessories, which are available in collegiate colors. Lake Martin Mini Mall carries the Bote line of paddleboards, too. “We have a large selection of Big Green Egg grills and accessories, and we also are the exclusive location for the annual Lake Martin Christmas Tree ornament,” said Lake Martin Mini Mall Manager Robin Norris. Just across the road at Lake Martin Blooms & Bait, shop owners John and Kim Bullock are getting ready for holiday plant sales. They have in stock the largest selection of poinsettias available on the lake, as well as festive welded-tin holiday lawn decorations; however, the bait shop side of the house is still catering to the boater-fishing customer. “We are the dealer for the popular fishing underwater Green Light,” said John Bullock. Models range in price from $318 to $350, and installation does not require an electrician. “Christmastime is a popular time for people to purchase the light as a gift for their fishing spouse. We also offer a complete line of tackle and accessories, and those make great stocking stuffers. We even package them in baskets to help assemble a well-stocked gift for a fisherman,” he said. While the holidays are a good time to get those sought-after boating, watercraft and fishing gear upgrades, this also is a good time to replace worn, everyday boating items. “It is a good time to replace things like dock ropes and bumpers, as well,” added Russell Marine’s Goslin. Special holiday gift packages on ropes, bumpers and other common boating items also can be found locally. Most businesses offer gift certificates, too. The chart below offers some product and brand breakdowns to help shoppers with decision-making.

Brand Item Yeti Cooler - Hard Sided Yeti Cooler - Soft Sided Yeti Tumbers Yeti Accessories & Apparel Orca Coolers Orca Tumblers Big Green Egg Grills Minn Kota, MororGuide, Trolling Motors & Lowrance, Hummingbird Fish-Finding Electronics Green Underwater Fish Attractor Fishing Light Hyperlite, Byerly, Bote, Wake/Paddle Boards Liquid Force, Corley Chill Raft, O'brien, Float Mats & Tow Tubes Lily Pad, Maui Kayaks Evoke Dock Ropes, Bumpers Various Pet Water Accessories Various Costa, Panama Jack, Sunglasses Maui Jim, Dot Dash Various Fishing Tackle

Price Range (approx.) $230-$430 $279-$379 $25-40 $4-$40 $200-$600 $25-$38 $600-$4,000 $100-$3,000 $315-$350 $170-$500 and up $100-$500 $600 and up $10-$65 $20-$40 $30-$300 $3 and up

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The historic forestry office foundations will remain as part of the history display

38 LAKE

DECEMBER 2016

CRATA to make more of Smith Mountain

New project includes educational display, tower and trail signage and expanded hiking paths STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY AUDRA SPEARS

Low profile signage on the tower will identify landmarks around the lake

DECEMBER 2016

LAKE 39

Educational displays will discuss the importance of the mountain's forestry history

The project will enhance the hiking experience around the lake and throughout Tallapoosa County

40 LAKE

ith the award of an $87,429 grant, Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association (CRATA) is on its way to funding a $159,000 enhancement project at Smith Mountain. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) grant, announced by Gov. Robert Bentley Nov. 17, will support a project that the nonprofit trail-building organization on Lake Martin started planning nearly two years ago. “I think the funds will help us enhance the experience for the people who visit,” said CRATA co-founder and board member Jimmy Lanier. “What it really does is help us make a great place even greater.” The monies will be used to improve trail signage, build an educational kiosk display on the mountaintop and expand the area’s trails. The additions will enhance a local hiking emphasis for residents and visitors across Lake Martin and Tallapoosa County, said CRATA President Jerry Bynum, who spearheaded the writing of the grant application. “Our focus will be to educate the hiker,” Bynum explained. “Where to hike in the area, understanding nature and encouraging people to become mountaintop naturalists.” Low profile wayside signage will provide information about the area’s geology, water quality, plant and animal life and climate, as well as the mining history and biodiversity, Bynum said. “We also will encourage hiking in other local areas, including Wind Creek State Park, the Overlook trails, the Yates Wildlife Management Area south of Martin Dam and the Russell Forest trails,” he said. “We’ll work with Lake Martin Resource Association and talk about the Treasured Mile Program and encourage people

DECEMBER 2016

to adopt areas and keep the area clean, focusing on water quality and anti-litter programs. “We’ll educate school groups and hiking clubs about the carry-in, carry-out concept. The idea is to help to develop mountaintop naturalists,” he said. CRATA will look to raise $50,000, as well as additional in-kind contributions toward the project, which will include signage on the trails as well as at the base and on the landings of the fire tower on Smith Mountain. “The area has a lot of history behind it,” Lanier said. “It was a joint venture between Tallapoosa County, Alabama Power and the Forestry Commission originally. While we have some things there now, we really think we will be better able to share that history and many of the elements of the terrain with the enhancements this will make possible.” The biggest part of the project will include state-of-the-art signage on the tower and along the trails. Signs on the tower landings will identify landmarks that visitors can see from the tower vantage point, as well as provide information regarding the local ecosystems. The signs will be constructed with 10-year outdoor graphic material aluminum frames and powder coat finished. Improvements will be made to the on-site security system at the restored fire tower, as well. After a vandalism incident in which rocks were spray-painted and fires started at the tower earlier this year, CRATA board members installed a series of surveillance cameras that since have helped to apprehend three separate groups of vandals and raised social media awareness of the stewardship of the mountain’s historic landmark park. The project will start with the manufacture of the signs,

which will be installed by this time next year, Bynum said. “The grant requires that it is completed by mid-November next year,” he said. “So the design and research part of it will begin right away. The topics for the signage are generic, but the specifics are related to Tallapoosa County. Every sign will be localized, so the design phase will be a lot of people working together; then fabrication; and then, installation.” The grants were awarded from funds made available to the state through the Recreational Trails Program, which is a program of the Federal Highway Administration. ADECA manages a wide range of grants and programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management. “I am excited about the wonderful outdoor projects going on within our state and the enthusiasm surrounding them,” Gov. Bentley said in a released statement. “Alabama is truly an outdoor paradise and trails are a wonderful way to experience the wonders of our state. I am delighted in playing a role in these projects.” Contributions to the project are tax deductible, and all donors will be recognized in print. Donors who contribute $100 or more will be recognized on a permanent cast plaque. “This is a great opportunity to make a gift in honor or memory of someone or to show appreciation,” Bynum said. To make a contribution to the project, send your gift to Jimmy K. Lanier, CRATA, P.O. Box 240503, Eclectic AL 36024. Lake magazine will publish regular updates on the progress toward the $50,000 goal.

Help tell our county's story Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association is raising $50,000 to make Smith Mountain Park an educational center on the nature and history of Tallapoosa County

Contribution Form Name_________________________ Date________ Address___________________________________ City____________________ State____ ZIP_____ Phone____________________________________

Giving Levels

Tax deductible gifts to “CRATA-Smith Mountain Tower Restoration” are greatly appreciated! Please return this form and your gift to: Jimmy K. Lanier, CRATA, P.O. Box 240503, Eclectic, AL 36024 All donors will be recognized in print. All donors of $100 or more will be recognized on a permanent cast plaque. Anonymous gifts at all levels will be respected for confidentiality. Honorariums, memorials and appreciations will be acknowledged per donor direction.

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LAKE 41

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A set of these deer figurines was a gift from a client who'd had a run-in with a deer; Right: Karen Channell and Fancy look forward to celebrating Christmas at the lake with the grandchildren and other family members

44 LAKE

DECEMBER 2016

Home for the Holidays The Channell house at Willow Point decorates for family, faith and fun STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

hristmas at Karen and Tony Channell’s Willow Point home is a tribute to family, faith and the fun created when everyone is together for the holidays. “That’s really what it’s all about,” Karen Channell said. “Being together and making it fun.” And that fun begins at the doorstep where Channell put up the first of seven holiday trees. This one atop an outdoor table was decorated for her grandchildren. The 3-foot tree with brightly colored ornaments sends just the Christmas message a child wants to hear: I Can At Grandma’s. Channell placed a wooden signboard with those words under a tree packed with orna-

ments that hint at the fun waiting beyond the front door. There are candy canes, fishing bobber snowmen, wrapped packages and the magic words of Christmas – peace, love, joy, faith, believe. “The days will come when they won’t always come to Grandma’s for Christmas, so while we have the opportunity, we want to help them make wonderful memories at our home,” she explained. Another tree on the porch greets grownup friends and family with red bows and white lights and wooden boxes that Channell found years ago at the Highlands. “Most of the decorations we put up are those

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The family tree is at the center of the celebration

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The festive white and gold tree in the living room honors son Grant's engagement

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Karen adds to the White House and Congressional ornament collection every year

Beaded candles and a gilt-edged Santa await the Holy Night

we have collected over the years. They are things we treasure because of the memories we’ve made with them over time,” she said. “Like the deer on the chest in the entry. One of my clients gave me those after his car hit a deer,” said Channell, a local StateFarm Insurance agent. With the help of Lake Martin decorator Emily Caldwell, Christmas at the Channell house retains the warmth of family as the decorations lead from the stunning white tree in the living room to the frosted magic of the dining room, the touch of holiday in the kitchen to the cozy season in the breakfast room and the hallowed family tree in the den. “We don’t put the same things up in the same place every

year. We change it up and add new ribbon, but the family tree is always the big thing,” Caldwell said. This year’s 9-foot living room tree shines in white and gold as a celebration of the engagement of Channell’s son, Grant, to Nicole Dye. With its white lights and sparkling globes, the breathtaking tree shines next to the baby grand piano against the backdrop of the room’s wood paneled walls and vaulted beam ceiling. On a desk near the fireplace, Channell assembled the White House tree, a brass frame hung with a collection of White House and Congressional ornaments that are a gift each year from a dear friend in D.C. Some gifted remembrance of Christmas has been quiDeer, trees, pearls and Nativities change places to keep the displays fresh from one year to the next

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Frosted pinecones and candle trees perpetuate the magic of a family-centered season

Ornaments in the den reflect divided allegiances, fun at the lake and growing grandchildren

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etly tucked into a corner on nearly every surface in the home’s main rooms – beaded candles on a hallway table, wise men posed to spell the word “Noel” on a highboy and, in the breakfast room, a wooden bowl filled with colored balls next to a doll clad in red velvet with white fur trim. “We’ve had that for years,” Channell said with a smile. From the greenery and ribbons on the wall sconces to the simple arrangement under glass on the lakeside breakfast table, Christmas is designed around the gathering places. In the dining room, the gathering takes place around a parquet table spread with silver bowls and pearls. Frosted pinecones, candle trees and burlap poinsettias from a local shop shine amongst the tea lights and the silver-collared deer sculptures in woodland greenery that are mirrored on the mantle. Above the table, Caldwell added a bundle of burlap poinsettias, greenery and ribbon on the chandelier. On the buffet, below a painting of shepherds afield, Channell arranged one of her favorite Nativity scenes, a gift from her staff several years ago. Poinsettias in red and gold and burlap unify the design from room to room, adding sparkle and warmth to each table, mantle and tree. In the family room, the Christmas flowers are tucked into the garland that is wrapped around heavy candlesticks on the mantle, and they peek from behind family photos on the chest under the television and dance on a quilted tree skirt under the family tree. Dearer than any of the other trees in their home, the family tree holds special meaning to the Channells. Photos of their grandchildren in holiday frames dangle from its branches amid ornaments that recall times together at the lake, travels across the world and divided football allegiances. This tree, with its fishing lure ornaments, tiny wooden blocks and silver-trimmed faces of babies grown into children, is where the family lingers, laughs and pours over their memories of life on Lake Martin. Natives of Alexander City, Karen and Tony Channell both graduated Benjamin Russell High School and attended Central Alabama Community College. After college, they married (35 years ago), and they returned home. They bought the Willow Point home in 2003 and have spent the years since then renovating a little at a time. The design assistance of Georgia Carlee (GCI Design, Inc.) and the decorating eye of Melanie Wilkes at Russell Home Décor have helped to create the focus on family that the Channells wanted. “We just about have it where we want it now,” Channell said. The family’s lake life revolves around spending time together, from fishing, swimming and paddleboarding to boating, golf and putt-putt in the backyard, being at Grandma’s is all about joy, love, faith and family. “The tradition of family is so important to us,” Channell explained. “Our family is growing, and as it grows, so do the time-honored traditions of the past through faith, family and fun.”

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LAKE MARTIN BUILDING SUPPLY

2695 Dadeville Road

256.234.5500

Alexander City, AL

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tillWaters resident John Andrews finds joy in birds, brushes and carving tools, colors and details. He carves and paints his unique, original creations, which are handcrafted and signed, and his work has hung in the Georgia State Capitol. The Donald W. Nixon Centre for Performing and Visual Arts of Coweta County in Newnan, Georgia, displays 20 ducks, which he donated for a permanent display; however, this passion for art played second fiddle to his career until he retired and went back to school. Andrews has been drawing since he was very young. In his first attempts, at around 7 years old, he copied the comic strips in the newspaper. He said one thing led to another, and he eventually turned art into a hobby. A first generation American, Andrews was born in Detroit, Michigan, after his parents immigrated as children through Ellis Island with their parents. He attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio; he lived in the cold and snow of Michigan, Minneapolis, Canada and Chicago, Illinois, before business took him to Newnan, Georgia, south of Atlanta, and he decided the warmer and sunnier South suited him well. After he retired in 2006 from a career in microbiology and analytical chemistry, Andrews made his home at StillWaters on Lake Martin. He had friends who already lived there, and he had a desire to play golf constantly. Now, he has other reasons for staying. “I just love the peace and quiet, and I have met the friendliest people here,” he explained. As a microbiologist and analytical chemist, Andrews worked in research and development for two major pharmaceutical companies. He is proud to have been part of the team that developed several antibiotics, the rapid strep test and the first DNA kit to determine health issues through chromosomes. And though he said he wouldn’t change his career, he is glad that his artistic endeavors could be a part of his lifestyle during those busy years. He always had a sketchpad with him as he traveled for business, and he sketched while in hotel rooms, in his airplane seat and in the Delta Crown Room. He frequently gave his art away to interested travelers who asked what he was working on or what he planned to do with the drawing when he finished it.

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Wood Carver STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

Microbiologist retires to artistic life at StillWaters

Duck decoys like this mallard are among Andrews' favorite subjects

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This black swan was the first decoy Andrews ever carved

Andrews' canvasback enjoys the view from his StillWaters deck

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After retirement, with time to truly immerse himself in his hobby, Andrews decided to audit art classes at The University of West Georgia, which he could do cost free as a retiree. He enjoyed those classes immensely because he was able to participate fully in the class discussions and assignments. Of course, his fellow classmates were much younger, and they did provide him with plenty of entertainment, but he said he never felt out of place. He said two things he learned were that rare are the artists who make a good living, and doing good work takes time. While there, he discovered watercolor pencils as his favorite medium for painting. “Most everything you do is not spontaneous. You do research first,” Andrews said. “I have libraries of ideas. I go to ponds and sketch for hours before I begin a painting.” Andrews began woodcarving in 1978 when he purchased a kit and carved and painted his first duck. He said the most important tool for a wood carver is a pencil to draw where the wood would be carved to form the shape of the duck, as well as the details. He continued perfecting his art, learning in classes and from duck shows he attended, eventually entering a competition in 2008. Andrews said he always hopes the profits from duck sales will cover the cost of his art materials – mostly brushes, pencils, paint, hand tools and drill bits. His advice to would-be woodcarvers, Andrews said, is to buy a kit. “Sit down and mess around with it. Find shows online to attend. Go to classes,” he said. “But find a niche. You cannot be all things to all people.” He said deciding on birds as his niche was easy since he had always been a bird lover. He has carved a few fish, dogs and other things when family and friends asked, but he said to expand their artistic abilities, carvers need to stay in their niches. Andrews said he has no desire to teach painting or carving, but he enjoys talking about his progression from hobby to sales and how his passion for art has grown. He has spoken to several groups in the Dadeville area, and he knows he has inspired at least one man to begin painting with watercolor pencils. “It was such a thrill that someone would want to do it after he heard me speak,” Andrews said. In his spare time, Andrews travels all over the world with a friend, collecting paintings and drawings from every destination. To contact Andrews about a speaking engagement (which would be at no charge) or to discuss commissioning a piece of art, email him at jona0650@yahoo.com.

Clockwise from right: Andrews draws and carves in his Newnan, Georgia, workshop; this male woodduck is another of Andrews' favorite projects; Andrews' research for decoys includes drwing and painting birds before ever touching the wood.

Photo courtesy of Newnan-Coweta Magazine

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Big beaches, like these below Smith Mountain, are one advantage of the low water conditions that the drought has brought to Lake Martin

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What's good about low water? Make the most of Lake Martin's reduced water levels by looking for its positive aspects, like finding those sunglasses you lost last summer STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY AUDRA SPEARS

here was no point in even asking. With the drought going into its third month at the end of October – and the lake already near winter pool level – it was obvious that this year would not be one of those in which the conditions were met for a fall extension of the summer pool. Though it’s disheartening, we might do well to remember that Lake Martin is no stranger to drought. In November 1941, the situation was so severe that the lake pool level fell to 440.15 feet – 50 feet below full pool. Again in 1944 and in the 50s, lack of rain and evaporation resulted in significantly low water in the lake. It went down in 1971, and in 1986, during a four-year drought, the lake reportedly was nearly 9 feet below the summer pool level in July and never reached full pool all year. In March of 1988, Alabama Power Company suspended hydroelectric generation as a precaution to avoid water level problems. The lake did not see serious drought conditions again until 2007 brought some of the worst in the area’s recorded history, according to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. In Alexander City, engineers extended water intake pipes to the middle of the lake to ensure that residents and businesses would not run short of water during a drought that uncovered old building foundations and trestle bridge columns. Only two public boat ramps had enough water to offer lake access at the lowest levels experienced that year. The area suffered another drought just five years later in 2012, and now in 2016, the extreme conditions are expected to continue into next year. In addition to practically non-existent crop growth and less hydroelectric power generation, the negatives of the drought include scarce food

and water supplies for wildlife, fewer visitors to the lake, dust all over everything, dying trees and limited ramp access at local boat ramps. But the drought also means cleaner water in Lake Martin, according to Alabama Water Watch, as fewer nutrients and contaminants and less debris flow into the lake from the watershed. There are new discoveries to make in low water, and the drought-induced pool brings other opportunities, as well. This is a great time to go in search of that pair of sunglasses that dropped off the dock last summer, collect shells or retrieve fishing lures that were long ago thought lost forever. The lower water offers an unexpected opportunity to repair seawalls, clean the bottom of the boat and identify water hazards that usually liein-wait just under the surface to damage props; search for gold, garnets and other precious stones near the old mines; and walk the exposed water line to find arrowheads. With all the new beaches, there’s more room for football on the bank, making sand castles and doing yoga. Take an adventure that isn’t available at higher water levels, like camping on temporary islands that have appeared since the onset of the drought and hiking the Island Hop Trail below Smith Mountain. Paddle the Big Water, an activity that is far more difficult and dangerous with the boat traffic that accompanies higher water levels. Geo-cache the islands. Make a contribution to the welfare of the lake by cleaning up trash exposed on the lake bottom. And be sure to take pictures for a scrapbook because one day the grandchildren won’t believe the stories you’ll tell of the Drought of 2016 without the pictures to prove it.

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Alabama Water Ski Federation holds Hall of Fame induction at Lake Martin STORY & PHOTO BY MITCH SNEED

he Alabama Water Ski Federation last month inducted three new members into the Alabama Water Ski Hall of Fame (AWSHOF) at the annual induction ceremony held at Lake Martin’s historic Kowaliga Restaurant. J. R. Henly of Mobile and husband and wife skiers Roland and Janelle Kirtley Godfrey of Birmingham joined the seven previous inductees and were honored by friends, family and fellow water ski enthusiasts with an awards ceremony and dinner on Nov. 19. The AWSHOF is part of the USA Water Ski Federation, said Doug Hamrick, a member of the group’s board of directors. USA Water Ski, based in Polk City, Florida, is the largest and most active water ski federation in the world. Its mission is to advance the sport of water skiing through sponsorship of water skiing education and excellence in competition, Hamrick added.

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“Inductees are nominated by the Alabama Water Ski Federation, and nominations are reviewed by the fourmember board of directors,” Hamrick said. “Selection criteria are based on the nominees’ length of time involved in organized water skiing, their competitive contributions to the sport and their participation as officials and in the promotion and support of the sport.” “You have people who enjoy water skiing, and then you have people who live water skiing,” said AWSHOF Board Member Don Kelly, as he introduced the three 2016 inductees. J.R. Henly and Roland and Janelle Godfrey are among those people who live water skiing, he said. “We induct people who have really made a difference in the sport. These are people who have devoted themselves to the sport of water skiing and are true pioneers in the sport,” he said. Henly was recognized for being a lifelong promoter

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of water skiing events in Alabama. He has served more than 40 years as an event director, competitor and host and boat driver for organized competitions and tournaments. He also is the co-founder of the Aqua Nut Water Ski Club in Mobile and served nine years as the safety director of the Masters Water Ski Championship. Henly also was recognized for his furthering of the sport by building a large water skiing competition lake in the Mobile area. “Water skiing will always be a part of my life,” Henly said. “It has been since I was 15 years old, and I am going to continue to enjoy it for as long as I can. It is a wonderful life.” The Godfreys are among the most enduring couples of organized water skiing in the state of Alabama. At the age of 5, Janelle Godfrey began skiing on the Warrior River. She entered her first tournament at the age of 10 and met her future husband, Roland, at the age of 13 during participation in a tournament. “I was a competitor; he was a boat driver,” she said. Among Janelle Godfrey’s many noted water skiing accomplishments are 1960 Masters Water Ski Champion; 1962 National Water Ski Champion; 1963 National Water Ski Slalom and Tricks Champion; and from 1956 to 1973, she won 73 event titles, including 38 overall titles. Roland Godfrey is recognized as a key promoter and organizer of water ski events from 1960 to 2000. He served as the key boat driver for many competitive tournaments, including six regional championships, and was the official towboat driver in the National Championships and Pro Tour. Roland Godfrey was active on the National Rules Committee on Tournament Tow-Boat Boat Driving. The Alabama Water Ski Federation typically hosts competitive events between the months of June and September each year, Hamrick said. Competitions are held in the three categories of Trick, Jump and Slalom skiing. “We hold about nine events during the year,” Hamrick said. “We also hold about three education and teaching clinics.” Many of the tournaments and clinics are held on Lake Martin. Participants range from about 6 years of age to 65, Hamrick said. There are some 100 Alabama Water Ski Federation members statewide; some 15,000 USA Water Ski members nationally. Current AWSHOF board members include Hamrick, Kelly, Lyman Hardy and Jeff Wiswall. Board members serve four-year terms and are always open to talking about the organization to those interested. The Alabama Water Ski Hall of Fame can be contacted by email at AWSHOF@gmail.com. Many previous AWSHOF inductees were on hand for the 2016 induction. Previous AWSHOF inductees include: Ralph Winn and Leona Kirtley of Birmingham, 2006 inductees; Dr. Tom Strong, Tuscaloosa, 2008; Hal Hamilton, Birmingham, 2014; Jerry Woodard and Margaret Woodard, Mobile, 2015; and Leah Marie Rawls Atkins, Birmingham, 2015. DECEMBER 2016

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A New York transplant to Lake Martin, Steve Baladamenti is the author of the book, In Earnest ... In Error, which is available online and at the Dadeville Public Library.

likeable folks here, but I have yet to meet one. I have been pleasantly surprised by the level of acceptance shown to me, and I feel truly blessed.

When did you move to Lake Martin and what brought you here? In 2000, my company – a large gas and electric utility – offered an early retirement package. With one more year of service, I would become eligible to retire at age 53. One of the terms was reduction to half pay. For many years, I had dreamed of such an opportunity, having observed my dad work until he was no longer able to fully enjoy his own retirement, and I resolved to make the most of it. In my younger years, I had gone to high school on a ship, learning the nautical trade. During five years in the Merchant Marine, I had been blessed to see a good percentage of this planet. Now that retirement loomed, loving the water as much as I do, I knew that I wanted to be on a large lake, somewhere in the South, where snow was only a rumor, and in a place where reduced pay would stretch pretty far. I opened up a map, looked for the biggest patches of blue I could find and proceeded to make appointments with real estate people. I used that last year’s worth of vacations to scout different areas. My quest took me to Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, Lake Lanier, Lake Weiss and Lake Ouachita in Arkansas, among other places. With an appointment scheduled for 8 a.m. with an agent in Dadeville, I drove directly from New York, arriving about six hours early. I ended up at the Overlook, off Highway 50. It was pitch dark, so I took a nap in the car. A few hours later, the sun shining through the window woke me, and when I beheld that magnificent view, I knew that this was going to be home.

Tell us about your book, In Earnest … In Error, and the process it took to write about an event from history. In my younger years, I had written many magazine articles (all of them nautically-related) and came to feel that I wanted to contribute something of historical nautical interest to posterity. The subject of such a book was imbedded in my mind years before; as a 10-year old, I had read a book about U.S. Navy ship losses in WWII. The book stated how such-and-such a ship was lost through torpedo and another via hitting a mine or gunfire, collision, typhoon, etc. But one entry had me puzzled. It read, “Sunk in Error by U.S. Submarine.” That had always held my curiosity, and even after a lifetime of historical nautical reading, I never saw any further elaboration. Here was the story around which my proposed book would revolve. After years of research, interviews, correspondence, freedom-of-information wrestling matches and traveling all over the country, I managed to flesh out the book, which was finally published in 2008. The thought that I now know more about this sole isolated incident than even the men who survived it or caused it still gives me goose bumps.

Where do you live on the lake, and why did you choose that area? We live in Sandy Creek Estates in the northeast corner of the lake. Our street is the only street in the city limits of Dadeville that touches water. This area is ideal, with deeded lots and some basic common-sense covenants. My neighbors here are proud of their properties, and you can’t go 100 feet without waving “hello” to someone. What do you do for fun at the lake? Boating on the lake is fantastic. I’ve been here since 2001 and still haven’t seen all of the lake. I also build and run large-scale radio control ship models and would like to find likewise-minded folks to possibly form a club. I belong to a sports car club, and we members often split the expense of renting a road course to run our cars. And of course, visits from the grandkids keep Brenda and I busy. Tell us what you have enjoyed about small-town life in Dadeville since you moved from New York City. I absolutely cherish the small-town life here in Dadeville. When I got here, I did not know a single soul in Alabama. In the ensuing 15 years, I have made many strong friendships. Unless you have ever lived in a huge city, you cannot truly understand the polar differences in quality-of-life that rural Alabama offers. In those 15 years, there has not been one second where I’ve had my head on the pillow and wondered, “What have I done?!” Oh, I’m sure there are some not-so60 LAKE

What is your involvement with the Dadeville Public Library? Upon leaving the bank after closing on my home in 2001, I immediately went to get a Dadeville Library card. As I have said, books were an important part of my upbringing and still are. Over the years, I gradually increased my involvement with Dadeville Public Library, first joining the Dadeville Friends of the Library, of which I am now president, and later the Dadeville Library Board, of which I am currently chairperson. Both of these groups, along with a dedicated staff, are striving to make the Dadeville Library – your library – a vital, relevant and positive force in the community. Besides your own, what book do you believe everyone should read? Why? I know that books have inspired me to travel the earth and become independent, forming a cosmopolitan and tolerant view of the world. It pains me to see how self-involved some young folks are today, hardly ever looking beyond their phone screens. I wish I could coax them into reading about and discovering far-off people and far-away places, even if only to give them a social yardstick with which to gauge their own places in the grand scheme of things. What is one word or phrase that you have learned since you moved to the South that you wish you had always known? At my retirement party, my pals jokingly gave me an Alabama-to-English dictionary! I’m still coming to grips with the term “might oughta,” as in “It’s cold out; you might oughta put on a coat.” Now, might works fine in that sentence, and oughta would work just as well. There is no good reason to combine the two, and I had never heard such until my arrival here. It took 15 years, but it makes perfect sense to me now. Go figure!

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Lake Q&A:

Steve Baladamenti

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Christmas Wishes T

Wrapping up what buyers want

repairs are required. Or, maybe the home is he favorite Christmas movie around our actually priced accurately and, by definition, is house has to be Elf. not a steal of a deal. There are plenty of good In Elf, Will Ferrell stars as Buddy deals on the market today that are not foreclothe Elf, a happy-go-lucky man-elf that saves sures, which is a good thing, because there are Christmas with his irrepressible optimism and only a couple of foreclosures for sale now in Christmas spirit. As much as I would like to the Lake Martin area. I think the peak of foresound like Buddy the Elf in my answers below, closed homes for sale was around 2009. I will probably sound more like a different That was the year of the Big Short. The Christmas movie icon: the Santa that pushed Market Meltdown. The feds spun the Wheel Ralphie down the slide in A Christmas Story. LAKE PROPERTY of Misfortune and basically randomly picked In this month’s column, I respond to the folBY JOHN COLEY which banks would live and which would lowing Christmas wishes I have heard from die. It was not a happy time in the real estate world. Here readers/buyers interested in Lake Martin real estate. in lovely Lake Martin, it didn’t get as bad as it did in big I wish the Lake Martin MLS had the correct square metro markets, but it was sad, all the same. Do we want to footage for every home for sale. go through that again, just to have a few more deals on the I hear this wish quite frequently from buyers, and it is market? I think not. understandable. Buyers have found a few homes that they I wish for a food truck that serves fish tacos at the old like in the MLS and would like to compare them. They natPineywoods Restaurant location near Wind Creek. urally wonder about size of the homes and square footage. OK, I admit it; this one is mine. But I have been really Sadly, their review of the MLS shows that in many of the patient with this request. I first used this listings, no square footage is given. Why not? Is it too column to beg Russell Lands for it much to ask that the agent or homeowner get a back in 2011 or so, and it still hasn’t tape out and measure? happened. There are waterfront Well, maybe it is too much to ask. You restaurants all over Lake Martin, see, there is some risk in self-calculating except for a distinct lack of faire and publishing the square footage. If between Peanut Point and you are wrong, and if the buyer the River Bridge. A fishsues you, what then? taco-serving food truck I think that the real place could be parked in the to arrive mentally on this short off-season and subject is ambivalence. rake in mucho dinero The fact is, for waterfront the rest of the year. homes, price per square I wish Lake Martin foot is a useless metric. agents would quit sayCalculating it is a fool’s ing “gently sloping errand because when a home lot.” is on the water, the lot Readers, I am drives the price. The with you on this view, the privacy subject. This and the location of description is the lot are much bigoverused by us agents. ger influences on a home’s “Gently sloping lots” is to Lake worth than the square footage of the Martin agents as “we gotta win third downs” is to football home itself. But I understand buyers’ curiosity. Sometimes coaches. they just want to know how big the house is. How can every lot on Lake Martin be “gently sloping?” I wish Lake Martin had more foreclosures, so I could Have you ridden around here for 10 minutes? I am not sayget a good deal. ing every lot is a cliff, just that in a lake with 880 miles of Everybody loves a deal. I don’t care if we are talking about buying lake houses or lords-a-leaping. One of the big- shoreline, we are bound to have a steep lot here or there. Just tell the truth, like, “When I started down the driveway, gest perceived deals in real estate is buying a foreclosure. I prayed my brakes would hold.” The reason I say “perceived” is because it isn’t always so. I wish that Zillow had an accurate inventory of homes Sometimes the foreclosed home is so torn up that expensive

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for sale with correct Zestimate quotes. I must say you are right about Zillow. It hardly ever shows the correct waterfront homes, condos and lots for sale on Lake Martin, and prices always miss high. In other words, it incorrectly shows homes as for sale when they are actually expired, sold or otherwise off the market. Zillow’s ultimate goal is not to be accurate. Its goal is to sell ads to real estate agents. Zillow wants to show as many homes for sale as possible, reasoning that more homes for sale draws more consumer eyeballs, and more consumer eyeballs means they can charge higher ad rates to their actual customers. And “Zestimates?” Don’t get me started. When lake home buyers would quote Zestimates to me, I used to show them how wildly inaccurate they were by asking the buyers to look up the Zestimates on their primary homes. Now when asked about Zestimates, I point out a recent article I read on Inman.com about Zillow’s CEO, Spencer Rascoff. Rascoff recently sold his Seattle home for $1.05 million, but his own company’s Zestimate on it was $1.75 million. Yes, that’s right. Zillow missed the value on its own CEO’s home by $700,000 (40 percent). If Zillow missed the value on its own CEO’s home by 40 percent, do you really think it can peg a price here in little ole Alabama? I wish for a Daisy Red Rider BB Gun for Christmas. You’ll shoot your eye out.

(256) 234-6366

(256) 825-9244

(256) 839-6711

(334) 864-8854

John Coley is a broker and owner of Lake Martin Voice Realty. He is also the author of the blog Lake Martin Voice at LakeMartinVoice.com.

We touch the lives of the people you love Assisted Living Short Term Rehab Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Long Term Care DECEMBER 2016 PM16_HalfPg_Magazine8.2016.2.indd 1

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139 Cedar Drive, Equality • $770,000 Proposed new construction. Plans by architect Mitch Ginn. The Spot Tail's design provides a great place to relax or entertain guests with its open living, dining and kitchen area. Located in the new development of Cedar Point. Large lots with incredible views. Lake Martin Realty Damon Story 205.789.9526 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

35 Canoe Point, Equality • $795,000 New Construction. The Shell Cracker XL is a great terrace level floor plan designed by Mitch Ginn. Home features two bedrooms and baths on both main and terrace levels. Terrace also has game room with summer kitchen. Located in the new development of Cedar Point with large lots and incredible views. This pre-sale package includes the lot, cottage, seawall, and dock. Lake Martin Realty Damon Story 205.789.9526 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

30 Elysian Way, Equality • $1,150,000 Rare find. Beautiful 4 bedroom 3.5 bath lake home on professionally landscaped flat lot with approximately 380 feet of waterfront. Reclaimed wood floors in living area. Drivethrough garage with boat landing.Two docks, one with pontoon and PWCs lifts and a personal gas pump,the other with gazebo at beach area.Excellent fishing with lighted cleaning station on dock. Lots of room for entertaining. Lake Martin Realty Damon Story 205.789.9526 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

1A Pine Shadows, Eclectic • $675,000 195 North Fairwinds Drive, Windermere West $789,000 South Ridge Harbor, Breakwater • $1,575,000 Your dream home awaits, just off Nero's Point. Windermere West home located on a 2+/- acre lot Just completed by Newcastle Construction and This 4 bedroom, 3 bath home was just comw/ multiple fountains, sitting areas, fire pit, decks, designed by David Smelcer. This 3,825 sq. ft. five pleted. Great finishes inside with a huge view screen porch, carport & so much more! The home bedroom, four and one half bathroom plan has genof Trillium with deep water. Must see to offers spacious living areas on both levels. The mas- erous open living-dining-kitchen with owner’s suite appreciate. ter & a guest bedroom are on the main level along and guest suite on main level. Lake level offers Lake Martin Realty w/ a spacious kitchen and family dining area. three bedrooms, two baths, rec room, bunk room, India Davis 256.749.7592 Three additional bedrooms are on the terrace level and lake prep room. Covered porch and lake level www.LakeMartinRealty.com (one currently serves as a pool room). Visit soon! patio provide lots of outdoor living space. Lake Martin Realty Russell Lands On Lake Martin Becky Haynie 334.312.0928 Rhonda or Emily 256.215.7011 www.LakeMartinRealty.com www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

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Willow Glynn, Cove Cottage • $1,197,000 Ready To Move In! Henderson & Coker just completed this beauty in Willow Glynn. A Mitch Ginn design includes owner’s suite, guest bedroom, bunkroom, and bonus loft room on main level. Expansive open kitchen-dining-living area with access to large covered porch. Lake level offers 2 guest suites, large family room, covered patio and bar for plenty of lake fun. Russell Lands On Lake Martin Rhonda or Emily 256.215.7011 www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

Surviving the drought Hope and prayer may be the best strategy

is hoped action would be taken soon. t seems like only yesterday, but we haven’t The lake is currently losing about an inch experienced a severe drought on Lake of water level a day, which means we will Martin since 2007. Our Lake Martin lose a foot every two weeks without rain. HOBOs were founded during that drought, Why is the lake going down so rapidly? largely as a result of the terrible effects we One authority mentioned that inflows on experienced during that time almost 10 years the Tallapoosa River upstream have been ago. While severe, the 2007 drought only running at 0.1 cubic feet per second (cfs), lasted about 10 months before rains came to while releases from Lake Martin are currefill the lake from more than 15 feet down rently being made at 1,200 cfs. Another to full pool by summer of 2008. HOBO issue to consider in this equation is that Lake Now faced with another drought, we wonBY JESSE CUNNINGHAM Wedowee also is now below winter rule der: What will this one be like? Are the decicurve. For the past two months, Lake Martin sion makers better prepared? and Will our has enjoyed water that simply passed through after its lake survive this drought? release from Wedowee, but that source is drying up also. Preparing for this article required some reading about The lake will survive this drought. It survived the the 2007 drought, as well as conversations with repredrought of 1941, which saw the lake down 50 feet, and it sentatives of State agencies, Alabama Power Company and local officials. Everyone agreed on one aspect of the will survive this one. With the planning in place by the powers that be, let’s hope decisions made and actions drought – that we are better prepared now than we were taken in anticipation of potential problems to stave off in 2007. more serious ones, like 2007. Remember, the Corps of Engineers (COE) chose that We all know who makes the rain, and it’s not the year to dredge the navigation channel of the Alabama weatherman. Pray; pray. River, which was a terrible decision. After a summer of Another event that is welcome news to all who experirequiring high flows from the Tallapoosa and Coosa rivers just to accomplish the dredging, in September of that enced the six years of the relicensing process for Martin Dam is that FERC has refused to approve requests for year, the COE dictated that the power company release rehearing from the Georgia Environmental Protection 2 feet of Lake Martin water just to float down a dredge that was stuck on a sand bar on the Alabama River. Let’s Department, Atlanta Regional Council, American Rivers and Alabama Rivers Association. The Georgia govhope better planning is in our future. ernmental agencies did not participate in the relicensState agencies, the power company, the Corps of ing, they just complained afterward that Atlanta really Engineers, local officials and the Federal Energy deserves all of our water. The rivers groups raised enviRegulation Commission (FERC) have developed a ronmental questions that had been adequately addressed drought response plan that will be tested for the first during relicensing, according to FERC’s decree. time in the coming months. Efforts have been made to anticipate potential problems and adjust operations Jesse Cunningham is a past president of Lake Martin to avoid many of the adverse conditions of the 2007 Home Owners and Boat Owners Association. drought. Releases from dams are required for the health and welfare of the fish, for “navigation” and to generate electrical power. The term, navigation, is used by the COE, even though there is no commercial boat traffic – only bass boats – on the rivers. Navigation today means flows are released to dilute pollutants discharged by city sewage treatment plants and industries downstream. These releases have already been reduced twice for flows at Montgomery by 20 percent, with the possibility of another reduction, if necessary. The releases at Lake Martin, which make up part of the total required at Montgomery, have not been reduced yet, but the drought plan calls for a flow reduction of up to 67 percent, if necessary. By publication date of this article, the lake was expected be at least a foot below the winter rule curve of 484 feet mean sea level (msl), and it DECEMBER 2016

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Eating healthy during the holidays

s we approach what tends to be the busiest, and for some, the most stressful time of year, let’s embrace December with continued thanksgiving. With calendars filling up and the holiday celebrations kicking off, it is important to remember how to embrace the season in a healthy way. Simplifying your life will help you enjoy what is important. Make HEALTHY LIVING this holiday season about your BY JULIE HUDSON family, friends and loved ones. Embrace the spirit of giving. Give the ones you love more of your time. Give yourself some time to relax and rejuvenate. Give to those who are in need. Don’t feel pressured to do everything. If something is adding stress, ask for help. Stay organized and make a plan. This may sound a bit cliché; however, making a list and checking it twice will make shopping trips and running around much more productive. Let go of the guilt. Stay within your budget and get creative with gift giving. Most of all, get enough sleep, continue in your usual exercise regime and eat healthy. When we take better care of ourselves, we have more energy to enjoy all the celebrations. Keeping it simple in the kitchen is another way to make it through this busy season. Planning menus ahead of time will help with the shopping and takes the guess work out of the equation after coming home at the end of a long, tiring day. Stick with simple but healthy meals. Eat lighter when you know that you have several parties to attend in the same week. Experimenting with different soup recipes as the weather turns cooler can serve as a healthy and soothing meal option. Depending on your schedule, soups can be prepared ahead of time, and you could double the recipe and freeze half of it; then, you can pull it out of the freezer when it’s convenient. I have two soup recipes that I have enjoyed recently. They are very healthy and light. Pairing the soup with a salad or a

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sandwich will make a delicious easy meal. You can use these as a weeknight meal or incorporate them into your holiday party menu.

Pumpkin Chili

This chili is light, although hearty and full of flavor. The pumpkin flavor is very subtle. The pumpkin and the beans add a huge amount of nutrition. Top with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cheese. 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 small onion, chopped 1 green pepper, seeded and chopped 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped, optional 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 1/2 pounds chicken or turkey, cooked 2 15-ounce cans diced tomatoes, undrained 1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin 2 cups low sodium chicken broth 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon cumin Salt and pepper 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1 15-ounce can great northern beans, drained and rinsed Warm oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, jalapeno (optional) and garlic; sauté until tender, about 12 minutes. Add the cooked chicken or turkey. Sauté the meat with the vegetables for two minutes. Add tomatoes, pumpkin, broth, chili powder, cumin and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in all beans. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until chili thickens slightly, about 30 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Butternut Squash Soup

This soup is so creamy and smooth you might think it was made with cream. It is light, soothing and full of flavor. Top it with roasted pumpkin seeds and a dollop of crème fraise or sour cream. 1 (2 to 3 pound) butternut squash, peeled and seeded 2 tablespoons butter 1 medium onion, chopped 6 cups chicken stock Nutmeg Salt and freshly ground pepper Cut squash into 1-inch chunks. In a large pot, melt butter. Add onion and cook until translucent, about eight minutes. Add squash and stock. Bring to a simmer and

DECEMBER 2016

cook until squash is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove squash mixture from pot and place in blender; puree. Return blended squash mixture to pot. Stir and season with nutmeg, salt and freshly ground pepper. Embrace this holiday season by creating a plan, staying organized and, most of all, enjoying yourself and those that you love. The memories in the making are your own. Julie Hudson is a dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center in Dadeville

Healthy Hearts Have Happier Holidays A healthy heart means more holiday memories. More moments with family and grandkids. More hugs. Kevin Sublett, MD, and the staff at the UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic of Central Alabama are committed to keeping your heart healthy, so you can keep on making memories. Our clinic is backed by the world-class expertise you expect from UAB Medicine, offering: • The full spectrum of cardiovascular care • Care from a physician board-certified in interventional cardiology • The latest in cardiac and vascular ultrasound technology, as well as nuclear medicine imaging in accredited laboratories • Diagnosis and treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders • Convenient location within Russell Medical Call us today to schedule an appointment! 3368 Highway 280, Suite 130 Alexander City, AL 35010 (256) 234-2644 uabmedicine.org/heartcentralAL DECEMBER 2016

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Rod Action

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difficult to cast. The extra bend of the medium allows the f the many variables that affect an angler’s success on the water, equipment is right near the top. rod to load a little better on the cast, resulting in a more fluid motion. End result is longer casts and fewer line One of the questions that beginner bass fishers tangles (backlash). often ask is, “Why do you need all of those rods?” In the Duckett Rods line-up, I like the medium action I typically use golf as a quick analogy for the answer. I’m no expert at golf, but here’s what I do know. A golfer rods for small-to-medium topwaters, jerkbaits and squarebill crankbaits. I think that I get the perfect balance of has a bag full of clubs, and each club is designed for a specific purpose. Some clubs are better for distance, some castability, bait action and better landing percentage. These baits all feature treble hooks that better for accuracy. Some are more effective could easily bend or simply pull free. The in tough terrain, such as sand pits or thick added bend acts as a shock absorber, minivegetation (rough). Others, like the putter, mizing slack line and keeping direct contact are for super finesse. Fishing rods are very with the fish during surges and acrobatics. similar in that each has a purpose. Medium-heavy rods still have a fair Rod length plays an important role in the amount of backbone for the hookset when steps to catching a fish. Casting, presentacasting worms and jigs. I like medium-heavy tion, hookset and fish landing are the core for most spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and buzzelements. Rod “action” is just as important. baits, as well, but the added bend makes Rod action is basically the bend in the them a little more forgiving for casting and rod. Whether a rod is light, medium or landing a fish. heavy is determined by how flexible or stiff They are probably the most common rod it is. The type of bend is also considered. If on the deck of a bass angler’s boat and a a rod bends mostly at a point close to the tip, BIG CATCHES good rod to get started with – a good all-purit’s considered to have a fast action. If the BY GREG VINSON pose rod. A 6-foot 6-inch or 7-foot mediumrod bends farther down the shaft or what’s heavy is hard to beat. called the blank, it’s considered to have a slower action. Light action rods have the maximum amount of bend. Some refer to the slower action as being a parabolic bend. Heavy Action rods are the stiffest rods in a company’s The light action is very effective when using spinning line-up. The advantage of using a heavy action rod is that tackle. Small, finesse baits can still be cast reasonable distances. Light action rods pair well when fishing open it has leverage. Heavy rods are often used for moving water where an angler might not be as concerned with the fish up and out of dense cover. They come in handy for close quarters combat when using techniques like flipping fish getting into cover during the fight. Light wire hooks often accompany the small baits used and pitching. The leverage of a heavy action rod gives an with light rods. These rods apply just enough pressure angler the ability to apply the maximum amount of presto get the small hook set but not so much that the hook sure on the hookset. This initiates control of the fight on would bend. The fluid bend throughout the rod during a the front end. The added leverage following the hookset is important fight makes it very difficult for the fish to throw even the smallest hook. When used in the right scenarios, light because the fish doesn’t have a chance to turn. If the fish action rods can be just as – if not more – effective for moves deeper into the cover, the line can quickly get landing big fish because they are so forgiving during the wrapped around limbs or in the vegetation where direct fight. contact with the fish could be lost. Once that happens, One of the common items on the bass fishing market the landing percentage is going to drop rapidly. In other is the rod designed specifically for crankbaits, known as words, it leads to one of those big-one-got-away stories cranking rods. Cranking rods have very light action that we all have told and heard. some describe as soft. There is no action more forgivHeavy action rods could also be useful for casting ing than a cranking rod, and many anglers have multiple heavier lures like the umbrella rig or large swimbaits. cranking rods. These maximize casting distance, and the Lighter action rods don’t have the backbone to support slow bend keeps an angler from pulling the bait away as the heavy loads and often end up broken, causing reel a fish strikes. backlash or short casts. Crankbait fish often jump once hooked up, and this is The downside of the heavy rods used in the wrong especially so when offshore cranking. The added cushion applications is that they can overpower presentation like absorbs the shock, minimizing slack line and bettering the trying to fish a small topwater or crankbait. Heavy rods chances of putting the fish in the boat. are generally less forgiving on the cast and when landWhen purchasing a fishing rod, a good rule is to look ing fish. The added stiffness works against the user when for the void to fill in a rod arsenal. Considering all the trying to keep a fish from throwing the hook after a long cast. In that case, it’s preferable to have a little more cush- important elements – like casting, presentation, hookset and landing – could make the purchase an easier choice. ion. Medium and medium-heavy action rods are probGreg Vinson is a full-time professional angler on ably the most common rods anglers have because of their the Bassmaster Elite Series and PAA tours. He lives in versatility. Medium rods are often used with baits that Wetumpka and grew up fishing on Lake Martin. have treble hooks. Some of the smaller, hard baits can be DECEMBER 2016

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Brisket Sausage

Ingredients

Directions

1 large untrimmed brisket 4 heads garlic, remove root and skin; then rough chop 1/4 cup dried chili flake 1/4 cup ground bay leaves 1 cup salt 1/4 cup fresh ground black pepper 1/4 cup sugar

Cut brisket in pieces small enough to fit into a grinder and place into a large plastic container big enough to hold all ingredients. Place everything in the plastic container and mix; then grind through the large die plate of grinder; and then, through the medium die plate. Pull a couple tablespoons of the meat out and make a sausage patty in hands. Sauté in a medium skillet with a little oil. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. In a standing mixer, emulsify sausage in batches by whipping it with the paddle attachment on high for three minutes. Once all the meat has been emulsified, case into hog casings and allow to air dry in a cool place for 24 hours. Smoke at 225 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour. Cooking time will vary depending on the diameter of the sausage.

CHEF’S TABLE BY ROB MCDANIEL Rob McDaniel, executive chef and general manager at SpringHouse Restaurant, earned a bachelor's degree in restaurant and hotel management from Auburn University and is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute.

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Clearance on Select Premium Outdoor Furniture

Recliners starting at $399

Queen Euro Top Bedding Sets starting at $499

DECEMBER 2016

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Wine

for Christmas 72 LAKE

DECEMBER 2016

erly stored, for a few years before you give t’s a pretty safe bet that most of the peoit away. Most wines are ready to drink when ple on my list will be getting wine for they are released but might improve with a Christmas. One might get cigars or spirlittle more time. its instead, but everybody else likes wine, at The difference between a wine that is least on my list. Some people might rather pleasing now and one that needs many years give and get Alpaca socks or scarves, but I’ll to get to that point is significant. Let the stick to wine. recipients make the decisions on when to That I would give wine may seem like a enjoy what you have given to them. Very few no-brainer, but it’s not that easy. Convenient, casual drinkers will want to hold a gift for 10 yes, and that is one nice thing about working years or more. in the wine business. I don’t have to wonder Another approach is to buy what you like, when I can do my shopping; it doesn’t matbut again, does the recipient enjoy the same ter when the stores close, and I don’t have FROM THE CELLAR kinds of wine that you do? If you don’t know to squeeze it in over lunch. Besides, I hate BY HENRY FOY what they like, you may have to ask. There’s shopping. I mean I hate shopping. I much still time to invite them to an informal holiprefer to determine what it is that I want and go somewhere and buy it. I call it, “Know, go and done.” day gathering. Red wine, white wine, sweet, Old World or new, high dollar or economy brands; there are a lot of Shopping can be a nightmare for lots of folks, parways to go, and you should try to narrow it down. ticularly men. Giving wine takes some of the hassle With the end of the year just ahead, Champagne, a away, but there are many, many choices. Good wine that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg is easily found if you know good bubbly with a real cork rather than a plastic stopper, is a great gift. The Chandon line of sparkling wines what you’re looking for. You can spend more, which for start at just over $20. some gifts you should do, but not so much as to strain Since we’re talking about giving, let’s take a minute your own budget. to think about what to do when we are the recipient, and As I’ve said in years past, put a little thought into it the wine is so fabulous that we want more. This also and consider the recipient’s taste. Face it, Uncle Theron rarely spends more than $7 on a bottle of wine. To spend applies to a night on the town when the wine is fantastic. A recent trend is to snap a photo of the label with a much more than that might exceed his palate. He most smart phone. That makes perfect sense, and we see this likely would not enjoy wine with more complexity and more and more. But there’s a catch. Where the front depth. Uncle Theron would rather have his favorite wine label tells us the name and sometimes the variety or than a pair of expensive socks or expensive wine. some other little bit of information, it is the back label Aunt Sis might be a little harder to buy for. She loves that provides the information that will more quickly the cute labels but doesn’t have a strong preference for identify who carries that wine. The back label informawhat’s inside. Chances are that she would enjoy sometion makes tracking it down much faster. Obviously, the thing different and almost adventurous. You have a little clearer the image the easier that will be – if the wine is more leeway here with the wine, but the cute label may available in Alabama. There’s always a catch. be a challenge. Buy her a good middle of the road that Have a safe, happy season and, by all means, please might draw her attention to the wine, rather than the drink responsibly. label. This brings up a good question about what people Henry Foy is the owner of Emporium Wine, Café 128, enjoy and why they enjoy the things they do. As much Gallery 128 and Lake Martin's only walk-in cigar humias we might want to educate and share the best that life has to offer, that is not everyone’s cup of tea. Many of us dor located in downtown Alexander City at 128 Calhoun Street. He can be reached at 256-212-WINE, on Instram, would be happy with a lot less. Facebook and at emporium128@bellsouth.net. If you think that Uncle Theron wants to be a wine connoisseur, invite him to a candlelight supper with haricot verts perfectly paired with the wines that you think will make him a convert. Or not. For Christmas, give him what you know he likes or slightly better. The same 256.215.FISH (3474) 2190 Cherokee Road , Alex City, AL www.alexcitymarine.com goes for Aunt Sis. Then there is the question of storage. Well, not so much storage as drinkable now. A wine that is rated Certified Outboard Dealer as “best after 2020” probably isn’t a good choice for most people. That’s only four years away, and most likely, that particular wine would be good today. But if the “experts” think it might be better with several more years in the bottle, I would suggest Call us today about our you buy it now and hold it, propWinterization Specials DECEMBER 2016

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Rough Lies

Pro Tips From Lee Williams Hitting out of the rough can be difficult. I’m going to help you do a better job the next time you miss the fairway and have a bad lie in the rough. Obviously, strength helps when your ball is buried in tall grass, but two other factors play important roles in how well you make contact with the ball – reading the lie and moving your stance. If you are lucky, and the ball is sitting on top of the grass and has not sunk deep, all you need to do is hit your normal shot, planning on a little less backspin. But this is not normally the case. Most likely, you will address the ball and notice a clump of grass between your ball and the clubface. In this situation, you will experience what is known as a “flyer” in golf terminology. A flyer lie is one that produces very little spin, causing the ball the fly much farther and become a knuckle ball with no spin. If there isn’t a forced carry short of the green, the best option is typically to land the ball well short of the green, allowing the lack of spin to propel the ball onto the green. I would rarely recommend trying to fly a ball onto the green with a lie like this, unless the green is extremely soft. The next factor in hitting out of the rough is moving the ball position more forward in your stance. The more forward you play the ball, the steeper your club will come down on it, minimizing the amount of grass that gets between your club and the ball. A lot of golfers think the farther back in the stance you play the ball, the better out of the rough, but in reality, it’s just the opposite. I would recommend playing the ball about where you do your driver when you get a bad lie in the rough. The only other option to be a successful player out of the rough is to hit more fairways. Good Luck! Lee Williams, a professional golfer on the PGA Tour, grew up playing at Willow Point Country Club. As an amateur, Williams was a member of the 2003 and 2005 Walker Cup teams, as well as the 2004 World Amateur Team. He is sponsored by Russell Lands, King Honda, Nowlin and Associates, P.F. Chang's, Tempus Jet, Hyatt Adams Golf, Russell Athletic, Titleist, Ameritas Financial Corp. and Southwest Airlines.

Another win for the local CACC Trojans

Triumphant Trojans BY CATHY HIGGINS

The Central Alabama Community College golf team ended its fall season last month by winning the CACCWPCC Invitational. The hosts of the 36-hole tournament bested teams from nine competing colleges from across the Southeast to win the event held at Willow Point Country Club. This is the Trojans’ fourth triumph out of five events held since the season began, which has CACC leading the nation in tournament wins and topping polls. “We haven’t had this kind of start since we swept the fall in 2012, the last year we won the national championship,” said CACC golf coach Dave Jennings. “This team has something special. When one falters in a round, the other four step it up. This is crucial for team success in golf.” Jennings played the entire eight-member CACC team in the invitational, which closed out the fall golf season. “This is the one time that everyone may compete,” he said. The Trojans qualified for the top-five playing positions required for a team in the event, with the remaining three athletes playing for individual honors. Playing for the Trojans this year were sophomores Jacob Morgan, Steven Wysocki and Reynolds Carl, as well as freshmen Jake Maples and Bailey Scifleet. The visiting colleges were Wallace State, Faulkner State, Calhoun, Snead State and Jefferson State community colleges, as well as Point University, Cape Fear C.C., Eastern Florida State College and Troy University.

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Legend

Ti L

280

To Sylacauga

Public Boat Ramps

Churches 9

Alexander City

Camps & Parks

Camp ASCCA

Flint Hill Church

Power lines U.S. Highways

280

County Roads

Piney Woods Landing

Wind Creek State Park

Pleasant Grove Church

COOSA COUNTY

Alex City Boat Ramp

Mt. Zion Church

259 9

128

Russell Farms Baptist Church 63

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Friendship Church New Hope Church

Liberty Church 15

Willow Point

Equality

Kowaliga Boat Landing

Seman

Trillium

20 The Ridge

The Amp Ko w

ali

16 10

Central

Union

ELMORE COUNTY Union Church

Red Hill 63

229

Eclectic

Tallassee

18 Kent

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Union Landing

Children’s Harbor

Camp Alamisco

1 9

Church in The Pines Camp Kiwanis

Paces Point Boat Ramp

DECEMBER 2016

Timbergut Landing

Horseshoe Bend National Park

Jaybird Landing

Lake Martin Alabama Marinas 11. Kowaliga Marina 334-857-2111 255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

22. The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300 450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 33. River North Marina 256-397-1500 250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

42. Real Island Marina 334-857-2741 2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

Jacksons Gap

53. Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888 7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

280

62. Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550 486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026 Bethel Church

Dadeville

Restaurants

280

76. SpringHouse 256-215-7080 12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Camp Hill

86. Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070 17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Smith Landing Pleasant Ridge Church

9 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035 295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

12 13

10 Harbor Docks Restaurant at Anchor Bay Marina 334-639-4723 2001 Castaway Island Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024

Lake Martin Baptist Church 49 Church of the Living Waters

16 5. Lake Martin Mini Mall 334.857.3900 7995 Kowaliga Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024 4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 17 256-234-2567 1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010 4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 18 334-541-2132 1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 4. Russell Building Supply 19 256-825-4256 350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 20 256-794-1333 111 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 4. Dark Insurance 21 256-234-5026 410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 www.darkinsuranceagency.com . McDaniels Storage Center 22 256-234-4583 1040 Highway 280, Alex City, AL 35010 23. Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Road, Eclectic, AL 36024

Hotels & Lodging 24 2 Cherokee Bend Bed & Breakfast 877-760-7854 5833 Highway 22 East, Alex City 35010

Business & Shopping 11 Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075 970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010

Stillwaters

12 Lakeside Mercantile 334-850-6357 8246 County Rd 34, Dadeville, AL 36853

Advertise your business on our Lake Martin Region Map for as little as $25. Contact us at 256-234-4281 or marketing@alexcityoutlook.com for more information.

13 EastLake Coffee @ Lakeside Mercantile 334-850-6357 8246 County Rd 34, Dadeville, AL 36853

Walnut Hill 50 50

15 Shipwreck Sam's Yogurt @ Smith's Marina 256-444-8793 1590 Pine Point Road, Alex City, AL 35010

14 Karen Channell State Farm Financial Services 256-234-3481 5030 Hwy. 280, Alex City, AL 35010

Reeltown

DECEMBER 2016

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

Jake’s Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc JR’s Sports Bar & Grill The Medicine Shoppe Koon’s Korner The Sure Shot Koon’s Korner II USAmeribank Lake Martin Building Supply Warren's Appliance Parts Lakewinds Golf Club Willow Point Country Club Larry’s General Store Wind Creek - entrance Little Black Dress Wind Creek - store Longleaf Antiques Winn Dixie Mark King's Lake Martin 280 BP Furniture 280 Exxon Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast Queen’s Attic DADEVILLE Regions Bank American Motorsports Ridge - Clubhouse Bay Pine Marina Ridge - Marina City Hall River North Marina Chamber of Commerce Riverbend Store Chuck's Marina Russell Home Décor Dadeville Wellness Center Russell Medical Center Foodland Russell Lands Foshee's Boat Doc Russell Retail Store Homeplate Restaurant Satterfield, Inc Harbor Pointe Marina Senior Nutrition~50+ Center Lakay’s Flowers & Gifts Sho’ Nuff Restaurant Lake Martin Flowers & Gifts Springhouse Restaurant Lake Martin Community T.C. Russell Airport Hospital

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

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

EQUALITY Equality Food Mart Real Island Marina Southern Star

KELLYTON Five Star Plantation

RED HILL Citgo

TALLASSEE Community Hospital Chamber of Commerce The Tallassee Tribune

WALNUT HILL Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Grocery

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

Lake Martin Business and Service Directory

SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

OLMAN

LOOR

OMPANY

“WE’RE THE PROFESSIONALS”

Hardwood Floors Ceramic Tile Carpet & Vinyl

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700

Visit our showroom for samples and a free estimate!

haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

1945 Hwy 280 • Alexander City

Locally Owned for Over 45 Years

256-234-6071

Do you want to see your photos in the next issue of Lake? WE DO! Send in your Lake Scene and Where’s Lake photos. Please include the names of everyone pictured, a brief description and your location.

LAKE

MAGAZINE Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com 78 LAKE

DECEMBER 2016

Lake Martin Business and Service Directory

Lila’s ENGRAVING

170 Jefferson Street, Alexander City

256-234-6004

COACH KRAFT

residential. commercial. interior. exterior.

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

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

Complete Marine Upholstery! Floors ■ Carpets Bimini Tops ■ Custom Seats ■ Mooring Covers

Professional! Trey Callegan Area Manager Call TODAY for quick Pre-approval!

■

Patrick Mason 334-283-6759 676 Dean Circle • Tallassee, AL www.coachkraft.com

A Division of Goldwater Bank, N.A.

248 Inverness Ctr Dr, Birmingham AL

205-995-7283

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

Performance!

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

Call me for your FREE home sellers kit.

Paige Patterson

205-616-8046

334-332-3435

www.paigepatterson.com

LAKE

Since 2008

Relax. Enjoy. Lake Martin. Call to order your subscription 256-234-4281

MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2016

LAKE 79

Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing....................................................... 67

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

Piggly Wiggly........................................................... 43

Advanced Cardiovascular.................................... 65

Fun Carts of Opelika........................................... 32

Prime Management............................................... 63

Advanced Heating & Air........................................ 8

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

Radney Funeral Home......................................... 36

Alex City Guide Service...................................... 63

Henderson and Coker......................................... 80

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

Alex City Marine............................................ 33, 73

Hilltop Landscaping............................................... 20

Riley Real Estate.................................................... 42

Amanda Scroggins, RE/MAX Around the Lake.........36

Holley’s Home Furnishings................................. 84

Russell Lands.......................................................... 37

Atkinson Home..................................................... 79

Holman Floor......................................................... 78

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

Bless Your Heart.................................................... 33

Jackson Thornton.................................................. 31

Satterfield................................................................ 36

Blue Creek Iron Works....................................... 79

Kowaliga Whole Health....................................... 79

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

Bodyworks Massage & Spa................................. 32

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

Southern Star Farm..........................................6, 33

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

Lake Martin Community Hospital..................... 12

SportzBlitz.............................................................. 74

Carlisle's.................................................................. 43

Lake Martin Dock................................................. 19

State Farm Insurance/ Harold Cochran..........78

CertaPro Painters................................................. 79

Lake Martin Inspections...................................... 42

State Farm Insurance/ Karen Channell..........79

Clayton Homes...................................................... 32

Lake Martin Med Spa........................................... 33

Studio Sam Hair Salon......................................... 33

Cloud Nine............................................................. 42

Lake Martin Mini Mall................................... 31, 27

Tallassee Community Hospital........................... 20

Coach Kraft Upholstery...................................... 79

Lakeside Marina....................................................... 8

Temple Medical Center....................................... 51

Cotney Jewelers.................................................... 42

Lila's Engraving....................................................... 79

TNT Stone............................................................. 79

Crew Lending......................................................... 79

Madison House Restorations............................. 43

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

Custom Docks....................................................... 31

Mainstreet Alexander City............................42-43

Troy Cable................................................................. 6

Damon Story, Cedar Point................................... 3

Mama's Secrets...................................................... 33

UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic............................. 67

Dark Insurance...................................................... 42

Mark King's Furniture................................... 32, 71

Walmart.................................................................. 79

DAVCO Development......................................... 79

Merle Norman....................................................... 43

Wedowee Marine................................................. 24

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

Mitchell's Upholstery........................................... 63

Wickles Pickles...................................................... 32

Dianne Naler, CPA................................................ 42

National Village...................................................... 16

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

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

Noel Boone............................................................ 43

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

Emporium Wine.................................................... 43

Odd Jobs................................................................. 59

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

Paige Patterson, Lake Martin Voice Realty......79

80 LAKE

DECEMBER 2016

LAKE 81

Parting Shot Photo by Kenneth Boone

“Christmas isn't a season. It's a feeling.” ~ Edna Ferber

82 LAKE

DECEMBER 2016

242X E-Series

EDGY. EPIC. ENERGETIC. AN ALL NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE WAKE BOAT BOASTING CUTTING-EDGE ENHANCEMENTS. STANDARD FEATURES INCLUDE YAMAHA’S TRIPLE BALLAST SYSTEM, AWARD-WINNING CONNEXT™ INTERFACE FEATURING NEW DRIVE CONTROL AND A POWERFUL 1,000-WATT STEREO WITH SOUND BAR, SUBWOOFER AND 18 PREMIUM SPEAKERS.

FX Cruiser SHO®

ENGINEERED WITH SUPERCHARGED POWER, RIDE™ FOR PRECISE CONTROL, LUXURIOUS COMFORT AND SIGNATURE YAMAHA CRUISER® FEATURES DESIGNED TO DELIVER PURE RIDING ENJOYMENT

www.WedoweeMarine.com 256.357.2045 or 800.780.2045 DECEMBER 2016 LAKE 83

The Beauty You Desire The Performance You Require

The beauty you desire the performance you require. Introducing Kid Proof Fabrics.

Introducing Kid Proof Fabrics

Even He Can’t Mess It Up EASY CLEAN UP

Kid Proof was created with the modern family in mind. Having to sacrifice what you really want because of sticky fingers, crayons, or an occasional spilled glass of juice is now a thing of the past. STIMIL EROM ON

® The beauty you desire the performance you require. Introducing Kid Proof Fabrics.

Kid Proof was created with the modern family in mind. Kid Proof was created with the modern family in mind. Having to sacrifice what you really want because we all know that teens, small children and the messes that come along with them aren’t always easy to clean.

.eriuqer uoy ecnamrofrep eht erised uoy ytuaeb ehT .scirbaF foorP diK gnicudortnI

.dnim ni ylimaf nredom eht htiw detaerc saw foorP diK ,sregnfi ykcits fo esuaceb tnaw yllaer uoy tahw ecfiircas ot gnivaH .tsap eht fo gniht a won si eciuj fo ssalg dellips lanoisacco na ro ,snoyarc

Having to sacrifice what you really want because we all know that teens, small children and the messes that come along with them aren’t always easy to clean. Sticky fingers, crayons or an occasional spilled glass of juice is now a thing of the past.

84 LAKE

256.234.4141 Alexander City

DECEMBER 2016

334.279.3101 Montgomery