Issuu

Weekend

FOR SUBSCRIBERS: LAKE MAGAZINE’S BRIDAL EDITION INSIDE TODAY

The Outlook

Obituaries, page 2 Opinion, page 4 Calendar, page 5 Religion, page 6 Classifieds, page 7 Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 Public records, page 10 Sports, page 11 February 3-4, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 25 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢

Council to consider gift of property

By MITCH SNEED Editor

A piece of land that will help Alexander City with a project designed to help pedestrians and beautify one of the city’s main gateways could become city property Monday night. The Alexander City City Council is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. in the

upstairs courtroom of the city’s Public Safety Building at One Court Square and a resolution to accept property adjacent to Lee Street from Russell Brands, LLC. is on the agenda. “The resolution is to accept a donation of the land from Russell Brands,” City Clerk Amanda Thomas said. “It’s right of way along Lee Street that is near what was No. 5 on the Russell

Campus and adjacent to the property that was recently purchased by the city.” Information that supports the council agenda shows that the property consists of a about a third of an acre. The reason the property is needed is it allows for a continuous parcel for the planned Lee Street Streetscape Project. The property, if approved by the

council, would not cost the city anything. Another item that could be of interest to residents is a request to approve an alcohol license application for retail beer and table wine for Lake Martin Pizza Company, which opened last month downtown in the Broad Street Plaza. See COUNCIL • Page 3

Russell Library to offer digital magazines

Daycare bill passes, moves to Senate By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

Before the 2018 session of the Alabama House of Representatives began, Rep. Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee) pre-filed a bill to bring certain standards to daycare facilities across the state that claim religious exemption from being licensed by being affiliated with a church. Thursday, the House passed Warren’s bill, moving it on to the Alabama Senate. Earlier in the week, the bill was unanimously approved in the Committee on Children and Senior Advocacy, which brought the legislation to the House floor. After the bill had been revised some in committee, part of the revisions included cleaning up redundant language, Rep. Allen Farley (R-McCalla) proposed one final amendment to the bill, which also reworded one section of the legislation. In the original bill, one subsection read, “A child care facility that receives state or federal funds, is operating for profit, or has at least one child who receives a child care subsidy from the department is not exempt from licensure See DAYCARE • Page 9

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

The Adelia M. Russell Library was proud to announce earlier this week that the library had recently secured a partnership with Recorded Books to provide a new service to library patrons, RBdigital. With this service, members will be able to read some of the most popular magazines on their computers and handheld devices. Patrons will be able to See MAGAZINES • Page 2

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

While the BASS Elites are not allowed on the water until Monday, teams competing in Alabama BASS Nation Highschool Qualifier come in Friday after a day of practice. The high schoolers blast off from Wind Creek State Park around 6 a.m with weigh ins starting at 2 p.m.

Elite Series kicks off on Lake Martin this week By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

For the next week, expect to see a lot of new faces around Alexander City, as the Bassmaster Elite Series opens on Lake Martin on Thursday. Fishing for a $100,000 grand prize, 110 anglers will officially arrive in Alex City on Sunday and have three

days allotted for practice on Lake Martin before the Elite Series begins Thursday. Not only will Lake Martin become host of one of the biggest fishing tournaments in the country, it’ll also bring exponential benefits to Alex City. “What’s interesting is a lot of times See BASSMASTER • Page 3

Alabama pre-K named best funded in country By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

The Alabama pre-K program was recently recognized as being the best funded state pre-K program in the United States, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research. The institute examined statewide pre-K programs all across the country, and found that Alabama not only had a well-funded program, but also was growing its enrollment steadily and was one of five states to meet the previous quality standards used by NIEER, joined by Mississippi, North Carolina, Rhode Island and See PRE-K • Page 9

Alex City Fire Department gets donation of pet rescue kits By MITCH SNEED Editor

A male German Shepherd named Adler who captured the hearts of local residents after he was revived by firefighters on Jan. 3 after being pulled from a house fire is home and on the mend. Thanks to a donation from a California-based non-profit group, the brave folks who fought to save him will now have better equipment to make similar rescues easier if the situation ever arises again. Air For Paws donated 15 pet oxygen mask kits to the Alexander City Fire

Department last week, enough to have one of the special resuscitation kits on virtually every rig the department operates. “We are so thankful to have these,” ACFD’s Todd Sassano said. “We were fortunate with Adler that we had enough people there to spend the time to get a tube in and intubate him. That may not always be the case. After that day, we started looking around to see what was out there and the cost associated with them. “Not too long ago we worked a call with the folks at Kowaliga Volunteer Fire See KITS • Page 2

We Care About You and Your Loved Ones!

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

1555 HILLABEE STREET • (256) 329-0847

Weather

53 42 High

Low

Lake Martin

Lake Levels

483.92 Reported on 02/02/18 @ 2 p.m.

LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443

laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Alexander City Fire Department’s Todd Sassano shows off the 15 pet oxygen mask kits that California-based non-profit group Air For Paws donated to the department.

+ Buy Here + Pay Here + +

54708

90050

USPS Permit # 013-080

FREE CONSULTATIONS

CLEAN USED CARS No Credit Checks

Cars• Vans• Trucks • SUV’s

Midway Auto,Inc.

Off Hwy. 280 • Alexander City, AL

A DAMS HEALTH & REHAB

Today’s

(On Right Past the River Bridge)

256.825.9830

“It’s not the end ... It’s a new beginning”

256-329-1313 217 Madison Street, Alexander City, AL “We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people ﬁle Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 under the Bankruptcy Code. Alabama State Bar requires the following in every attorney advertisement, “ No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

Page 2

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Bride’s second wedding plans complicate shower etiquette

Sunday

57 38 Low

High Rain

Monday

57 37 Low

High Mostly sunny

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 Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com

Postal

Information (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110)

Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Katie Wesson Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 katie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Digital Marketing Coordinator, Ext. 232 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com Erin Burton Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, Kenneth Boone Photography and a commercial web printing press.

The Outlook is published five times a week, Tuesday through Saturday mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box © 2011 Tallapoosa 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. Publishers, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.

Weekend Edition, February 3-4, 2018

The Outlook

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

Obituaries can be submitted to The How to Submit Outlook from funeral homes by e-mail For Obituaries moreat obits@alexcityoutlook.com information, call (256) 234-4281. SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law 135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL

825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

Many a small thing has

been

made

large... ...with the right kind of advertising.

256.234.4281

WILLIAM E. HARRELL, JR., DMD, C.DSM

CertiÀed Dental Sleep Medicine TMJ ( Jaw Disorder) • Child & Adult Orthodontics Oral Appliance Therapy to treat Sleep Apnea

CBCT Scans: Before Orthodontic Treatment

CBCT Scans: After Orthodontic Treatment

125 Alison Drive Suite 1-A, Alexander City, AL

256-234-6353 www.drharrell.com

The highest commitment to excellance

Find us on FB or visit us at www.drharrell.com

DEAR ABBY: My younger sister is planning a destination wedding this summer. Recently she had a courthouse wedding for health insurance purposes because she’s going back to school full-time. I am the matron of honor and she also has a maid of honor (which I am confused about; can you have both?). She is still planning her destination wedding because she won’t consider herself “really married” until the formal ceremony. Save-the-date notices were already sent. I told her I didn’t feel comfortable throwing a bachelorette party since she’s already married. She was fine with it, and mentioned the maid of honor may have a bonfire with their friends. I thought a lingerie bridal shower would be nice since they have been living together for some time and

DEAR ABBY Advice

don’t need household items. Is a bridal shower appropriate after a wedding? I feel it should be lightheartedly disclosed on the bridal shower invitation that they are already married. Is this OK? -- JESSICA, MATRON OF HONOR DEAR JESSICA: If you wish to throw a lingerie shower, I think it would be sweet, although showers are technically not supposed to be hosted by family members. Her friends would probably enjoy it. But to disclose on the invitation that your sister is already married -- lightheartedly or not -- would be in poor taste.

256.329.2910 • w w w. a c pr. m e

let it slip that they started dating before she was 18. I don’t feel comfortable with their relationship at all. Am I wrong to feel this way? -UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE WEST DEAR UNCOMFORTABLE: I don’t think so. Your feelings are your feelings, and you are entitled to them. Because being around your father and this young lady makes you uncomfortable, consider seeing him one-on-one, apart from her, if he can manage to separate from her for a half-hour or an hour. 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.

Obituaries William Warren Aaron AARON, William Warren, 78, a resident of Eclectic, AL, passed on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at his home in Eclectic. He was born in Wetumpka, AL on August 20, 1939 and is a graduate of Wetumpka High School, Class of ‘56. A memorial service will be held Monday, February 5 at 2 p.m. at Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin. He is survived by his children Wren (Sherry) Aaron, Alicia (Michael) Blevins and Ashley (Clay) Aaron, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Sisters, Mary Aaron Williams, Vivian Aaron Martin; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Wilbur Fester and Jewell Burdette Aaron; sisters Francis Aaron Rountree, Ruby Aaron Andress, and Marie Aaron Panhorst and brother Bill Aaron. In lieu of flow-

ers the family requests that donations be made to The Children’s Harbor of Lake Martin. WWA as he was known by his DOT brothers, was a man’s man living life with integrity and honor having donated over 32 gallons of blood to the Alabama Red Cross, having built the ball fields of Eclectic and by the town council proclamation named in his honor, Aaron Park in 1978. Warren enhanced the Eclectic Water Board by obtaining federal grants and matching funds to access water from the Tallapoosa River also serving on the board of directors, he was selected as Alabama’s State Employee of the Year in 1984. He was also selected to be a Torch Bearer of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games held in Atlanta. Warren competed in the Senior Olympics for many years, winning many gold, silver and bronze medals in countless events. The town of Eclectic bestowed the distinct

honor of being named the Grand Marshall for the annual Christmas Parade in 2017. At DOT, serving Alabama for 51 years, Warren left “The Book,” a set of guidelines still used to this day by engineers and contractors throughout the state. But most importantly he was an honest, straightforwardness, loving man, son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, friend and veteran of our Untied States Armed Forces. Coach Aaron, some called him “the Bear,” was known by many girls and boys whose lives he touched, through sports and through relationships with his 3 children. Warren Aaron is a pillar of our community and contributions continue to be a positive impact on the city of Eclectic, Alabama. He loves God, his church family at Church in the Pines, Children’s Harbor as an Anchor Society Member. May he rest in peace knowing that he made this world a better place.

Kits

continued from page 1

Department where they had a kit and we were able to get the information. We contacted them and they were like, ‘How many do you need?’” The organization provided the kits free to the department, being funded totally by donations. Each kit contains a mask that is perfect for larger dogs, a smaller mask that works with small breed dogs and cats, tubing for oxygen and a bag to force air into the pet’s airway and lungs. Sassano said while the intubation worked for Adler, having a mask with a good, air-tight fit works just as well and doesn’t take as much time to get started. “With an animal you are forcing air through the nostrils and the only way a mask and bag will work is if the fit forms that seal,” Sassano said. “These masks are designed specifically for that and work great.” According to Air For Paws, more than 800 kits have been placed in 40 states and at 90 military bases around the world – at no cost to the first responders. These kits have found their way into the hands of first responders primarily through word of mouth, fundraising and the generosity of compassionate donors, according to literature provided by Air For Paws. Sassano said he checks in with the Mullins family regularly to see

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Alexander City Fire Department’s Todd Sassano demonstrates how an animal would wear the new masks. Sassano said these air-tight masks are designed to force air into an animal’s airway and lungs, and work well in an emergency because they don’t take as much time to get started as intubation.

how Adler is doing. The most recent progress report showed a lot of progress. “He’s home and moving around on his own,” Sassano said. “He was still having some issues with one of his front paws turning under a little and he hasn’t fully gotten his sight back. They think he’s seeing better, making out shapes and starting to recognize things and they hope it

will come back fully in time. “We were all just thankful that he is getting better and to know that we helped make it happen.” Local residents can make a donation to Air For Paws to help them continue their work by going to airforpaws.com and follow the prompts to see the options on how you can give to the non-profit group.

Magazines “check out” as many titles as they would like for as long as they would like, letting them read their favorite magazines in a digital format at their leisure. “We tried to look at it from the patrons’ perspective, things they want and need,” Library Director Amy Huff said. “We try to make these services available to them as we can.” There are currently around 60 magazines

continued from page 1

available to Russell Library patrons, with titles that would appeal to everyone, according to Huff. Some of the available publications include “ESPN Magazine,” “National Geographic,” “Highlights for Children,” “Better Homes & Gardens,” “Newsweek” and many more. Huff said there is always the opportunity to make more magazines available to patrons, but part of this is dependent

Join the Fun... Become a Member Today! Charles E. Bailey Sportplex

DEAR ABBY: I have never had a good relationship with my father. He was extremely abusive and controlling when I was growing up. Regardless, I have tried to maintain a relationship with him -- albeit a superficial one -- now that I’m an adult. For the past few years, Dad has been seeing a woman my age. I have tried my best to maintain a relationship with her as well. The problem is, they are extremely touchy-feely when they’re together, and it makes me very uncomfortable. For example, they’re always rubbing each other, hanging on each other, or she sits on his lap when we’re out for drinks. I tried to talk to my father about it. He became extremely angry when I asked if they could keep it to a minimum around me. Moreover, they recently

on the companies owning the publications making their magazines available through such a service. “We have been trying to work this into our budget for the last three years,” Huff said. “We have had hard copies of magazines on the bottom floor, but those weren’t available to be checked out.” Accessing RBdigital is quite easy, Huff said. “You can go online to our website and look for RBdigital at the top of the screen,” she said. “It will walk you through creating an account on there.” The only requirement Huff said was needed to access this service is a library card, which will allow users to tie their library account to the RBdigital account. She also said the library staff would be more than will-

ing to assist anyone interested in taking advantage of the RBdigital service in setting up a new account. The library also recently added a new app for Apple devices that makes accessing accounts even easier for patrons. Librista allows patrons to check their account, renew books and even reserve items for checkout. While only available on Apple devices, having an app like Librista makes it that much easier to keep up with one’s library account. Both RBdigital and Librista are free for patrons to use, a pair of offerings Huff said she and the library staff were thrilled to be able to offer library users. “We are really happy to have this,” Huff said. “We think it’s a great value for our patrons.”

Weekend Edition, February 3-4, 2018

The Outlook

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 3

PHOTOGRAPHERS CAPTURE IMAGES OF RARE LUNAR EVENT With a rare lunar event happening earlier this week, amateur and professional photographers alike positioned and equipped themselves to capture images around the world. Locally, members of the Alexander City Photographic Society were among those snapping some incredible pictures. They, along with other photographers, have graciously shared some of their work with us and today we share those with you.

Scott Fletcher / Special

Left, Fletcher took this photo of the chapel at Children’s Harbor. The church was illuminated with a speed flash and truck headlights. He was using manual mode at f/5 with a 10 second exposure. Above, Fletcher shot this during the eclipse at Smith Mountain tower using aperture mode at f/13 for half a second exposure. Top, Fletcher captured three crosses at New Hope Church on Jan. 30 when the moon was about 99% full. He used aperture mode at f/7.1 for a 1/8 second exposure.

Beverly Henry / Special

Beverly Henry took a great shot of fellow photographers, top, shooting the moon near the lighthouse and chapel at Children’s Harbor.

Bassmaster

continued from page 1

the smaller communities see the bigger impacts,” said Michael Mulone, Director of Event & Tourism Partnerships. “We make a big footprint. Sometimes in a bigger city, there will be other events going on, but with a city the size of Alex City, we’ll fill hotel rooms, we’ll fill restaurants and it’ll be a positive hit for the economy.” Mulone said the economic impact of past tournaments has been between $2.1 and $2.6 million. Between the anglers, Bassmaster staff, sponsors, fans and media, the event will bring a ton of people to the area. There are several ways locals can view the tournament. On bassmaster.com,

Council Other agenda items include: • A resolution to approve weed abatement contractors for 2018. • A resolution to authorize Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership to apply for $1,000 in grant funds from ADEM on behalf of the city for the 2018 Tallapoosa County Water Festival. • A resolution to authorize the mayor to execute an agreement with GISinc

there will be livestreams of both on-water action and the weigh-ins each day. It’s also perfectly acceptable to bring your boats onto Lake Martin and watch your favorite angler in action. “It’s kind of a gentlemanly rule,” Mulone said. “We want fans to stay about 100 yards away and turn off the electronics of their boat so it doesn’t interfere with electronics of the angler. We really just ask that you give them a good cushion and stay alert, but it’s certainly fine to cheer for them.” Mulone said a lot of times, fans will have their boats in the middle of the lake and wait for the launch so they can have easier access to finding the angler they

continued from page 1

for GIS Architecture Review. It will allow the information being accessed by the city’s GIS system to be analyzed and assure that the city is getting all the data needed from the system. The price for professional services is $15,300. • A resolution to award bid 18-06 for a new ambulance to Custom Truck and Body Works of Woodbury, Georgia. The winning bid was $143,845.

Social Secu ity Ŷ Social Security Disability & SSI Ŷ Personal Injury & Accidents Ŷ Probate Civil Ŷ Uncontested Divorce

FAYEAttorney EDMONDSON at Law 135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL

256.825.9559

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

want to follow. After practice days Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and a private registration where the anglers will meet with the boat marshals Wednesday evening, the tournament officially begins Thursday. The Elite Series will launch from Wind Creek State Park every morning from Thursday through Sunday at 6:15 a.m. Mulone recommended fans who wish to view the launch arrive by 5:45 a.m., and fans are also welcome to the weighins, which begin at 2:30 p.m. The Elite Series also sponsors an Outdoors Expo at each tournament, which will have some components Thursday and Friday but will be in full

gear Saturday and Sunday starting at noon each day. “We have partnered with the (Alexander City) Chamber of Commerce to build a nice crowd of attendees, and we’ve invited fans to come out,” Mulone said. “That’s something we take pride in that we are very welcoming, and it’s great for something to bring the kids to. There’s a lot of activities with our sponsors this year, and it’s an opportunity to see some of our new products. There will be games, merchandise, food and beverages, so it’s really a festival atmosphere in addition to a fishing tournament.” Wind Creek’s entry fee will be waived if you are attending the tournament.

Opinion

MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213

editor@alexcityoutlook.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed

Page 4

Outlook

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Opinion

Our View

Let’s put our best foot forward for Bassmaster Elite

ake Martin will be the center of the bass fishing world next week as the Bassmaster Elite Series kicks off its 2018 schedule with practice days Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with competition starting Thursday and running through Sunday. An expected 110 anglers will compete for the $100,000 paid to the winner of the tournament. Whether you know the difference between a pumpkin seed curly tailed grub and a Swedish Pimple or not, the fact that one of the most prestigious fishing tournaments is happening in our backyard means a lot to us all. Exposure and economic impact are the two major ways that this tournament will benefit us. Many competitors were here already, prior to the 28-day period before the tourney where they had to be off the water, to practice. They stayed here, ate here, fueled up and shopped when they weren’t on the water. Now that the tournament is upon us, an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 visitors will be coming to the lake during the week of the tournament. That number includes the anglers and their families, the tournament directors and officials and quite a few spectators. Again, all that means money spent here, money that is taxed and goes into the local coffers that help fund services like police, fire protection, schools and roads. Another potential economic impact this could bring is “residual tourism.” That’s where people come here to watch or fish in the tournament and like what they see. Or people may see it on television and see the beauty and consider visiting here later. Again, that means money to our area. So considering how much this tournament means, let’s all work to put our best foot forward and welcome the competitors, fans, tournament officials and all those who are in town for the next week or so. Let’s clean up, put on our biggest smiles and hold the door for that stranger as they walk into the store beside you. While some people argue that Lake Martin is our greatest asset, we believe that it may actually be our people. Let’s show off the best of both of those this week as the fishing world comes to visit.

Know Your

Officials

T.C. Coley represents District 1, including half of Coley Creek, the Andrew Jackson subdivision, the southern part of Indian Hill, North Central Avenue, part of Pearson’s Chapel Road, the Northside community and portion T.C. Coley of Spring Hill community. His phone number is 256-212-9316. His address is 2316 North Central Avenue, Kellyton. Steve Robinson represents District 2, which includes the southern part of Alexander City, the Cedar Creek area, Ourtown and Willow Point. His phone number is 256-6540047. His address is 300 Heritage Drive Alexander City. John McKelvey represents District 3, which includes Jackson’s Gap, Hackneyville, New Site and Daviston. McKelvey currently serves as chairman. His phone number is 256-794-4405. His address is 1285 Freeman Road, Dadeville.

The

WANTED: Time to do nothing at all

have found that no matter what happens to you in life, someone somewhere has already written a song that perfectly fits that situation. Here lately I have been running wide open. I’m tired and I need some time to do things that just don’t matter at all. Maybe it’s because the Bassmasters Elite Series is coming to town. But I want to go fishing, I want to spend a day in the shop building something I really don’t need to build and take pictures of something cool because I want to, not because I have to. My mood needs some music, and the lyric that best fits comes from a song made famous by Fort Payne’s own, Alabama. Writers Roger Murrah and Randy Van Warmer hammered out “I’m in a Hurry” and the country super group took it to No. 1 in 1992. It starts out like this… I’m in a hurry to get things done Oh I rush and rush until life’s no fun All I really gotta do is live and die But I’m in a hurry and don’t know why. Don’t know why I have to drive so fast

Emma Jean Thweatt represents District 4, which includes Dadeville, Pace’s Point, northern Camp Hill, Buttston, Dudleyville and part of Eagle Creek. She can be reached at 825-4207. Her address Emma Jean Thweatt is 585 Brookwood Circle, Dadeville. George Carleton Jr. represents District 5, which includes southern Camp Hill, Red Ridge, Walnut Hill, Union and Pleasant Ridge. His address is 630 Turner Road, Dadeville.

George Carleton Jr.

My car has nothing to prove It’s not new But it’ll do 0 to 60 in 5.2. I live in a deadline-filled world where you never know what will happen and when it does, you just have to go. It may be a wild pig on the loose in a neighborhood, a deer in Tractor Supply, the state issuing letter grades to area schools, a wreck, shooting or a fire that happens on top of the meetings and stories you already have planned. My dad used to tell me all the time that he had to learn to downshift at times. “I’ve learned that all those things I used to think had to be done today, will still be waiting on you tomorrow,” he would always say. They say it’s important to learn from your mistakes and I hope that I can learn from this one. What would you do if you didn’t have anything you had

Mitch Sneed is the editor of the newspapers of Tallapoosa Publishers.

Quote

“Entrepreneurship is a combination of passion, vision, creativity and a sense of adventure.” —Sir Richard Branson

Today’s

Scripture

“As it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.’” —1 Corinthians 2:9

alexcityoutlook.com

Daily Poll Friday’s question: Are you rooting for the New England Patriots or Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday’s Super Bowl?

Eagles – 67%, 20 votes Patriots – 33%, 10 votes

To participate in this daily poll, log on each day to www.alexcityoutlook.com and vote. Find out the vote totals in the next edition of The Outlook and see if your vote swayed the results.

Our

Mission

The Outlook strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

Readers respond to release of state report card

fter the Alabama State Department of Education released a report card with the Alexander City school system receiving a C grade of 78 and Tallapoosa County Schools receiving a C grade of 75, a lot of people were not happy. Whenever this information was published to The Outlook Facebook page, readers took to the comments to express how they feel about these grades. “The administrators of the school systems need to take immediate and swift action to improve these grades. Put as much emphasis on school work as on sporting activities. No pass no play should be a standard requirement.”

“Larry no pass no play is a state requirement. Also athletes probably make up a small fraction of this. If not for athletics a lot of these kids would not graduate. Let’s focus on the real problems which start at home.”

— Beau McCary

John McKelvey

MITCH SNEED Editor

to do or if you had all the time in the world and nothing waiting on you? For me there’s a 1960 Dodge pickup that needs my attention. There’s a big ol’ white dog that needs a long walk and a bath and there are five fishing rods on my boat that need to have hooks tied on them and put in the water. I have a shotgun and a pistol I have never fired. I have a radio controlled boat I’ve never had in the water and I still can’t fly the drone my daughter got me two years ago very well. I’m going to make an effort to slow down and enjoy the scenery a little more. I hope that instead of trying to do it all, I can learn to delegate and pick and choose the things I want to do. Life is too short to rush through it and it is definitely too important to drive so fast that you put people at risk. So today I start a new plan. I made deadline on this column without breaking my neck to get it done. Start early, turn that music up and enjoy the ride.

Today’s

Weekend question: Do you believe area schools put more emphasis on athletics than academics?

— Larry Britton

Steve Robinson

Weekend Edition, February 3-4, 2018

“I am an 04 grad of BRHS. This is disappointing.”

— Kristen N Kevin Armstrong

“I’m shocked! I graduated from there (BRHS) 30 years ago and it was an excellent school then. My kids are in Sylacauga City Schools and they got a B. Shocking.”

— Robin Stark Andrews

“Teachers need to get off cell phones and actually teach for a start. I’ve sat in on my children’s classes for years and am appalled at how ignorant some of them are. When asked questions by students they either

— Drew Smith

FACEBOOK COMMENTS Editorial Staff ignore the student or don’t know the answers. We can’t expect more from students when teachers aren’t held to standard. Apathetic teachers produce apathetic students.”

— Melissa Enterkin

“My niece had a teacher that had the rule ‘ask three before me’ meaning ask three other students for help if you can’t figure something out! Really?! Kids are supposed to be able to ask the teacher for help but kids are afraid to ask for help because they get in trouble for interrupting the teacher!”

— Tina Tharpe Pennington

“Well, when the community constantly complains about the school system and every time a tax increase comes up to improve the conditions of the buildings and educational accessories to be able to compete with the A and B graded schools you vote NO!, then don’t complain. Change can only occur with $$$’s and as far as I know it doesn’t grow on trees. You vote NO then you get NO. NO funds, NO upgrades, NO accessories for educational advantages. So don’t sit back and blame some(one) else when you sit on your hands and do nothing.”

— Bill Parks

“The state needs a lottery. The entire state would benefit from it! Need $$$$ to make changes.”

“Lol people kill me when something don’t turn out like expected.. Let’s just throw some more money at it.. If you don’t get to the bottom of (the) problem you can throw all the money you want.. Will not change a thing.”

— Chad Walker

Alexander City Schools Superintendent Dr. Darrell Cooper and Tallapoosa County’s Dr. Joe Windle both feel the grades don’t accurately represent their students, but they plan to use this information in a positive way to improve their school systems. Windle said he hopes the prototype of the state’s report card system evolves quickly and next time, will include more measures that give a better picture of true academic progress. “We are making progress, but we realize there is work to be done,” Windle said. “… we will continue on the path to make our school system worthy of the children we serve.” We hope our school officials listen to the concerns of parents and students and use the state report card results to consider what can be done to better educate area students. Even if the criteria used didn’t produce a grade we feel our students deserve, we still came out below average and our students deserve to be well above average in all areas. This is an editorial written by Outlook staff using comments directly from our Facebook page.

How to

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 75 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. We would love to deliver a paper to your door. Call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281, Ext. 204 or e-mail david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook. com.

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) 2346550 or e-mailed to editor@alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send us your thoughts today!

On the Web

Follow The Outlook on the Internet on our website or on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Log on to http://www.alexcityoutloook.com. There you will be able to view stories and multimedia posted by The Outlook. You can also click on the Facebook link to join The Outlook’s fan club or click on the Twitter link to start receiving tweets on your phone as we post updates. You can also subscribe to our RSS (Rich Site Summary) feed on the Outlook’s home page. Check it out today.

Weekend Edition, February 3-4, 2018

The Outlook

CommunityCalendar Need Insurance? Call me.

This weekend is February 3-4, 2018 Today’s Events

BOSTON BUTT FUNDRAISER: The Meals on Wheels organization is having a Boston Butt fundraiser. It is selling tickets for a Feb. 3 delivery of a Firetruck Boston butt at the Meals on Wheels office at Russell Medical or by calling 256-329-7382. Tickets are $35. BOOK SALE: The Friends of the Dadeville Public Library will host a book sale on the lower level of the Dadeville Library Saturday, Feb. 3 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fill a grocery

bag for $5 or three bags for just $15.

Today’s Birthdays

William Ray Jones, Arlinda Young and Helen Catlin are celebrating birthdays today.

Sunday’s Events

PASTOR’S ANNIVERSARY: New Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Camp Hill is hosting the 9th Pastor’s Anniversary honoring Rev. and Sis. Melvin C. Kelley, Jr. Sunday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. The guest minister will be Rev. Ira Moss, pastor of New Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Tuskegee.

Page 5

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Submit calendar items:

Participate in your Outlook by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or logging on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/.

Sunday’s Birthdays

Jimmy Parker, Ida Mae Tuck, Brandy Melton, Jarkia Payne and Amie Lee Fox celebrate their birthdays Sunday.

Sunday’s Anniversaries

Willie and Barbara Tidwell celebrate their anniversary Sunday.

Monday’s Birthdays

Yvonne Jones-Smith, Deanna Aaron, Lakeva Payne, Ruth Ann Fuller, Jackie Jones, Alice Owens, Courtney Blankenship, Billy Yates and Jenny Jones celebrate their birthdays Monday.

–Since 1978–

BIG “B” BAR-B-QUE “We Cook The Best BETTER!”

Hickory Grilled Meat BBQ • STEAK CHICKEN • CATFISH

256.329.9996 Hwy. 22 West, Alexander City, AL

256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com

Coosa Kitchen & Bath Cabinetry Designing & Selling Quality Cabinetry since 1991 • Granite • Quartz • Cultured Marble • Laminate Counter Tops

25 Years and still going, Selling quality kitchen & bath cabinetry at reasonable prices. Ben & Peggy Smith, Owners Thur & Fri 9-4 | Sat 9-1 256-675-0176 1222 Hwy 280, Kellyton, AL

AL 96175

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

CARLISLE HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING 367 US H W Y . 280 A L E X A N D E R C I T Y , AL

256-234-0019 CA RLISLE AC.COM

Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services •Physical Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Speech Therapy 2334 Washington Street Alexander City • 256-329-9061 www.crownemanagement.com

Come Visit Us! Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing

Jackson Heating and Air set up a heated tent at Wind Creek State Park for the Alabama BASS Nation High School Fishing Qualifier. The company frequently sets the tent up at events especially those that service special needs children.

Monday, February 5

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Glenn Wills will present “Forgotten Alabama” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Feb. 5 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education. Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple. Registration for winter quarter began Jan. 8.

Wednesday, February 7

SITE REVIEW: Central Alabama Community College will host a site review for continuing accreditation of its Associate Degree in Nursing program by the ACEN on Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. in Building J of the Childersburg Campus. For further information, go to the CACC homepage at www. cacc.edu. ENGLISH LEARNER’S CLUB: The Adelia M. Russell Library is hosting the English Learner’s Club starting Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration starts Jan. 3. The club will help speakers of other languages learn, develop and improve English skills, learn American slang, idioms and other useful phrases and work on fluency activities and interview questions. For questions and information, call 256-329-6796 or visit the Adelia M. Russell Library. MONTHLY LUNCHEON: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will host its monthly luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please bring a covered dish and a small donation.

Friday, February 9

Need your business to

STAND OUT from the crowd?

Call us, we can help!

256.234.4281

VALENTINES CELEBRATION: The Equality Performing Arts Center is hosting a Royal Valentine’s Celebration Friday, Feb. 9 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Six past state pageant winners and the reigning Ms. Alabama Sr. America will perform popular love songs, a romantic aria and tap dance. The EPAC is located on Alabama Highway 9 in Equality.

Saturday, February 10

• Alexander City Outlook • Dadeville Record • Wetumpka Herald • Eclectic Observer • Tallassee Tribune

REUNION MEETING: The Laurel High School Class of 1969 is holding an organizational meeting Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. at the Cooper Recreation Center.

Sunday, February 11

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

VALENTINE LUNCHEON: Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Highway 63 South is hosting a community wide valentine luncheon Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome and welcome to bring others. There will be a photographer on site. GOSPEL SINGING: Victory Baptist Church on South Road in Alexander City will host The Warrens Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. EVANGELIST: Passion Church on Highway 63 North is hosting Evangelist Danny Johnston Feb. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Monday, February 12

256.267.0518

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Peggy Shores will present “Songs from the Heart” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Feb. 12 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education. Horizons Unlimited membership

is $20 per person or $30 per couple. Registration for winter quarter began Jan. 8.

Friday, February 16

PAGEANT: God’s Beautiful Creations Pageant will be Friday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. at Sardis Missionary Baptist Church in Dadeville in the Fellowship Hall. The event is sponsored by the music ministry. There will be five categories and all ages are welcome to participate. There will also be an Outstanding Couple category. To participate, please contact any of the Sardis Missionary Baptist Church choir members.

Saturday, February 17

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Dadeville Kiwanis Club will be holding its annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 7 until 11 a.m. at the Dadeville Elementary School Cafeteria. Tickets are $6 per person and include all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, ham, coffee, juice and milk. For tickets, see any member of the Dadeville Kiwanis Club, or contact Tony Johnson at 256-825-6364 or Peggy Bullard at 256-825-9415.

Sunday, February 18

GOSPEL SINGING: The Kempters will be in concert at Hillabee Baptist Church Sunday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Thursday, February 22

SENIORX: Deborah Jones of SenioRx will be at the Alexander City Chamber Thursday, Feb. 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to help seniors determine if they are eligible for assistance with diabetic supplies, liquid supplements and medications. This is sponsored by the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (Area Agency on Aging). For more information, contact Jones at 1-800-361-1636 or 256-7613575.

Saturday, February 24

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: There will be a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Faith Temple Church Gym at 425 Franklin Street from 6 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $6 for all-you-can-eat pancakes in house and sausage, juice and coffee. Carry out is also available. This is a fundraiser for the Faith Christian Academy’s Robotics team, which will compete in the National WWII Museum’s Robotics Challenge in New Orleans in May. Tickets are available from FCA students and at the door.

Monday, February 26

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Dr. James Hansen will present “Neil Armstrong” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Feb. 26 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education. Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple. Registration for winter quarter began Jan. 8.

Sunday, March 4

PASTOR ANNIVERSARY: New Style Baptist Church on Coosa County Road 20 in Equality is celebrating Pastor Richard Ellis Taylor’s third anniversary Sunday, March 4. Rev. Yeasive Ware of Opelika is the featured speaker at 11 a.m. and Pastor Johnny Smith of Jackson, Mississippi is the featured speaker at 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 10

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Alexander City Kiwanis Club is hosting a pancake and Conecuh sausage breakfast March 10 from 6 to 10 a.m. at the Benjamin Russell High School Cafeteria. Tickets are $6 and include all you can eat. Carry out is also available.

Wednesday, March 29

VIETNAM VETERANS WELCOME HOME: The Auburn Veterans Project is celebrating and reflecting on the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans March 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Auburn High School Auditorium. Speakers will be Joe Galloway and Medal of Honor recipients Bennie Adkins and James Livingston. Family is welcome to accompany their veteran and there will be a light reception afterwards. Visit auburnveteransproect.weebly. com/east-alabama-vietnam-veterans-welcome-home-cermony.html. Attendees are asked to RSVP in advance by either emailing Blake Busbin at wbbusbin@auburnschools. org or by calling Auburn High School at 334-887-2120.

April 9-10

THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days April 9-10. Dumpsters will be located at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town Hall at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.

July 16-17

THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days July 16-17. Dumpsters will be located at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town Hall at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.

October 15-16

THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days October 15-16. Dumpsters will be located at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town Hall at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.

The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow

The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for 2nd, 3rd, and Weekend Shifts for Direct Care. Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Brinda Bell (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: bbell@learning-tree.org

SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

Tony Guy, Owner Over 40 Years Experience

H&A Installation, Charge Outs and Repair Sheet Metal Work

FREE Estimates on NEW installations Service a 30 mile radius of Alexander City Licensed and Bonded #:84887 guysheating@live.com 256–234–4198 196 Thompson Ridge Road Alexander City, AL

Page 6

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Weekend Edition, February 3-4, 2018

The Outlook

In Community, We Share Tallapoosa County Devotional Page

SECURITY Grace’s Flowers and Gifts PEST CONTROL

“Since 1962”

652 Cherokee Road • Alexander City

Flowers with the Extra Touch!

951 Hillabee • Alexander City • 256-234-4238 256-329-1018 THOMAS AUTO PARTS • Automotive Parts • Machine Shop Services • Paint & Body Supplies • Hydraulic Hose Assemblies

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

Take time to give yourself to others

AUTO PARTS

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

Since 1976

256-357-9233 www.Àooringwholesale.com

top to give to someone. She says here is a special joy in our words can tell others how giving to others without special they are. expecting anything Words can say, “You can in return. In Matt. 6:2-4 the do it!” Or words can simply Word says, “So when you say, “Thank you for just being give to the needy, do not you!” They are silver boxes announce it with trumpets, that can change lives, and even as the hypocrites do in the CAROL transform a shy child into a churches and on the streets, confident one. They can help to be honored by men. When PAGE you give to the needy, do not Faith columnist take away pain, ease bitterness, calm fears and even help to let your left hand know what mold a person into what God your right hand is doing, so wants them to be. that your giving will be in secret. Then And just think, we can be a part of your Father, who sees what is done in someone’s life by giving ourselves, secret, will reward you.” not for pomp and praise, but for The Lord is saying in these words the approval and love of the Father. that it truly “pleases Him” when we Because our personal Papa Father loves respond to the leading of the Holy us so much, we need to be sharing Him Spirit to give of ourselves to others daily, moment by moment with others, without expectation of praise or not for our benefit, but for theirs. acknowledgement. The sad part is So today instead of ignoring we often think to give means to give someone or keeping our heads in the money or material possessions. But clouds, let’s take time to smile and to to give as Christ would give means to share an encouraging word! We might share ourselves, our time, our talents, an encouraging word, a helping hand, a never know how God uses us, but we will be used for His honor and glory. prayer or maybe even taking time just Love and blessings! to listen to someone. I read a book years ago by Florence Carol Page is a member of Good Littauer called “Silver Boxes.” She News Baptist Church and a regular said silver boxes are our encouraging faith columnist for The Outlook. words, all wrapped up with a bow on This devotional and directory made possible by these businesses who encourage all of us to attend worship services!

Ourtown, Alabama

256-329-8306 8:00-4:00 Monday-Friday By Appointment (except emergencies) Phone: (256) 234-4295 After Hours: (256) 329-7100

TEMPLE MEDICAL CLINIC, P.C. YOUR FAMILY CARE CENTER Medicine, Office Surgery, Pediatric and Industrial JAMES P. TEMPLE, M.D. 859 Airport Drive TIMOTHY J. CORBIN, M.D. Alexander City, AL VINCENT LAW, M.D.

A C

ALEXANDER CITY HOME OF LAKE MARTIN

256-234-5464 AUTO • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL 355 11th Ave. North | Alexander City, AL www.hendersonglassal.com

LEAF CLEANUP, TRACTOR WORK, LAWN CARE & DRIVEWAY GRADING To schedule an appointment or for more information call:

256.786.1759 FREE ESTIMATES!

G. Daniel Brown ATTORNEY AT LAW 926 Cherokee Road Alexander City, AL

256.329.1552 2533 Hwy. 280 Alexander City, AL 256.234.0988 ––––––––

Church Directory

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

256-234-6366

Tolbert’s Elite Mobile Detailing “Taking care of your vehicle as if it were my own.” Owner/Operator: Cameron Tolbert

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

(256) 786-1007 Email: camtoll2@gmail.com

1326 Dadeville Road Alexander City, AL

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

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

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

S E R V I C E

U N S

D E E P

256-329-0500 www.riverbankandtrust.com

• 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)

Our Business Is God’s Business

Whirlpool • Kitchen Aid Maytag • Amana Holland Grills Full Service Department

Tapley Appliance Center 574 S. Central Avenue Alexander City, AL 256.329.9762

SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law

135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL

256-825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

Season

Johnson

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

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

Shady Grove Baptist Jackson’s Gap Community

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. 63 256-329-5218

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

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

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

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

IVER BANK & TRUST

Pleasant Home Baptist Clay County

Elam Baptist Robertson Rd. Alex City Early Rose Baptist 201 E Street, Alexander City

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

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 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

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

Haven United Methodist 354 Christian St., Alex City 256-329-8394

Fire Pits | Stone Work | Shrubs & More

256.307.9087

Liberty United Methodist Liberty Rd., Hackneyville Mt. Godfrey New Site New Site U.M. New Site, 256-234-7834 Pearson Chapel U.M. Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City Red Ridge United Methodist 8091 County Road 34, Dadeville 256-825-9820 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

Sandy Creek Baptist Alex City

FULL GOSPEL Dadeville Foursquare Gospel Church Old 280 By-pass

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

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

Hackneyville Baptist Hwy. 63 N., Hackneyville

Sunny Level Baptist Church Sunny Acres Subdivision Sewell Street

Kellyton Revival Center Co. Road 87 South Kellyton

Hillabee Baptist Hillabee Rd., Alex City 256-234-6798

Town Creek Baptist Camp Ground Rd., Alex City

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

Horseshoe Bend Baptist Hwy. 280, Dadeville

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

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

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

First Baptist Tallassee St., Dadeville, 256-825-6232 Good News Baptist Church 10493 Hwy. 280, Jackson’s Gap 256-825-2555

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

Dadeville Church of Christ East LaFayette St., Dadeville Meadows St. Church of Christ 306 Meadows St., Alex City

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 Jehovah-Jireh Ministries 252 Tallapoosa St., Alex City 256-215-4211 Leap of Faith Outreach Ministry 886 Terrance Drive, 256-234-7119

Sales •Service •Installation P.O. Box 103 – Alexander City, AL

(256) 329-8488 792 Commerce Drive, Suite 103 • Alexander City

256.234.2007 256.749.8804

LANDSCAPE

Kellyton U.M., Kellyton, 256-329-1681

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

JOWERS

Hillabee Campground UMC 120 CC Road, Alex City Sunday School 10am Sunday Service 11am

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

Now Serving Breakfast!

Flint Hill U.M., Alex City 256-234-5047 Goodwater U.M. Main St., Goodwater, 256-839-6661

Compliments of Mayor Jim Nabors and City Employees

– FINANCING AVAILABLE –

For An Effortlessly Beautiful Yard

•Embroidery •Screen Printing •Signs

XPRESS YOURSELF

1218 Cherokee Road | Alexander City, AL

(256) 234-7355 www.xpressyourself.net

Abernathy Farm Supply Old-Time Friendly Service Open: Mon. - Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat. 7:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

“We Thank You For Your Many Years Of Business”

256.329.8385

GRIFFIN’S OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT Sales & Service

2600 Hwy. 9 South Goodwater, AL

Trey Griffin, Owner

256-839-6607

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.

We Want To Do Your Taxes Because We Save You Much More!

Fast, Reliable & Excellent Customer Service

Get Approved in a Flash! 2 Convenient Locations

Alexander City • (256) 234-2400 Camp Hill • (256) 896-2188 Mobile By Appointment . . .Yes, We Will Come To You!

Weekend Edition, February 3-4, 2018

The Outlook

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 7

Page 8

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Weekend Edition, February 3-4, 2018

Daycare

continued from page 1

under this subsection.” The amendment Farley proposed changed the subsection to read, “A child care facility that receives state or federal funds or is operating for profit is not exempt from licensure under this subsection.” Farley’s amendment was approved, and the House then held its third and final reading of the bill before calling for a roll call vote. Of the 102 legislators currently sitting in the lower chamber, 86 voted in favor of the bill, five voted no, one representative abstained and 10 were recorded as not voting/not present. “We are now one step closer to stopping another tragedy,” Warren said in a statement released after the bill was approved. “This bill would put in place the most basic safety standards for facilities that thousands and thousands of children across our state attend everyday.” “People realized what I’m doing, that it’s all about taking care of kids,” she said Tuesday while the bill was still in committee. “I’m feeling very confident about this.” Warren proposed a similar bill in the 2016 session, which passed the House but died in the Senate. Her push for legislation of this nature stemmed from several incidents occurring at unlicensed daycare facilities, including a Montgomery daycare where nearly 90 children were hospitalized after eating food that was not properly prepared, a young Mobile boy dying after being left in a daycare van, and unlicensed daycares claiming to be a church ministry not meeting certain state guidelines, closing their doors and re-opening in the next town over. “After the tragedy over the summer (the death of Kamden Johnson after being left in the van), I said this year would be different. It must be different,” Warren said. “We must put politics and special interests aside and do what is right, and I hope with all my heart my colleagues in the Senate will do just that.”

WHY ADVERTISE IN THE OUTLOOK?

YOUR BUSINESS IS OPEN. YOUR LIGHTS ARE ON

INVITE PEOPLE IN. TO ADVERTISE IN THE MOST POWERFUL MEDIA AVAILABLE, CALL US AT 256.234.4281

The Outlook

Pre-K West Virginia (while not meeting all 10 guideline points as a state, one pre-K program in Louisiana did achieve all 10), and of only two states to meet all 10 of the newest quality standards, alongside Rhode Island. Not long after this announcement was made, Governor Kay Ivey said she was looking to obtain an additional $23 million in pre-K funding included in the upcoming state budget. This move was applauded by the Alabama School Readiness Alliance Pre-K Task Force, a coalition of leaders from business, education, child advocacy and other areas promoting expanding pre-K access to all families in Alabama. “The Alabama School Readiness Alliance’s Pre-K Task Force supports Governor Kay Ivey’s request for a $23 million increase in state investments in First Class Pre-K during the 2018 Legislative Session,” the task force said in their list of recommendations. “If appropriated, this will bring total First Class Pre-K investments to $100.5 million for fiscal year 2019 and keep the state on track to meet the Pre-K Task Force’s decade long vision for fully funding First Class Pre-K.” With four pre-K

Page 9

www.alexcityoutlook.com

continued from page 1

classrooms in Alexander City and four in the Tallapoosa County system providing this early childhood education to a number of local children, system administrators weighed in on what this potential expansion of funding would mean for the state education system. “We are honored and privileged to be a part of this program,” Kathy Ledbetter with the Tallapoosa County Schools said. “My hope is that we can get to the point where it’s funded like every other school grade. “A lot of kids, when they first get to school, they’re learning how to be in school, the routine and things like that. Pre-K helps prepare them for being in school, and that is a big help.” “I think it’s good the money is available,” Alexander City Superintendent Dr. Darrell Cooper said “This is how kindergarten got started in this state, and I could see it growing and becoming like kindergarten.” “This is such a benefit to all our students,” Ellen Martin with the Alexander City Schools said. “We have great teachers who have outstanding materials and supplies available to use.” Cooper and Ledbetter said they were very happy to be offering this

program to students in their respective systems. Cooper said he would be interested in potentially adding more pre-K classrooms at Jim Pearson Elementary, while Ledbetter said the county may consider adding a second pre-K unit at Reeltown Elementary as early as the 2019-2020 school year. “I’m glad our governor is running with this and expanding this,” Ledbetter said. “She’s trying to reach more of our children. We need this.” While he was happy Ivey was requesting more funds for pre-K, Cooper also said there are those who would make arguments against this increased appropriation, not because they are against the state pre-K program, but because they want to make sure other issues are not ignored and education

at all levels is properly funded, something Alabama has not been able to do since 2008. With a proposed state education budget of $6.4 billion, an increase over last year of $216 million, there is the potential for seeing this $23 million in additional pre-K funding in the next budget for the state of Alabama. With those funds, the state education system can move one step closer to offering pre-K for every student in Alabama. “Would I like to be able to offer it to every student? Yes,” Ledbetter said. “I’m still thankful we can offer this to a number of our students. I’m glad it is offered and we are able to participate in it.” “We are very happy to have these four units,” Cooper said. “We want all kids to have the opportunity to attend pre-K.”

Alexander City (Lake Martin) Executive Director Physician Practice Network Food Service Coord/Dietary (FT) Respiratory Therapist (FT 7/7) CRNP/or Physician Asst (PA) (PRN) LPN Med/Surg

Radiology Technologist (PRN) RN ICU/Step-Down PRN (FT) RN Med/Surg (PRN/FT) RN OB/PEDS (PRN) (FT) RN Emergency Dept (PRN) RN (FT) Student Loan

Fax: 256/329-7335 or Phone: 256/329-7345 SEND RESUME TO:

jsherman@russellmedcenter.com

Public records

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 10

Weekend Edition, February 3-4, 2018

Outlook The

EDITOR’S NOTE

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

The McGuire Motors company building and property on Cherokee Road in Alexander City were part of a land transaction in the last month.

Land Transactions The following land transactions have occurred since Dec. 21: • 1.70-acres of property on Highway 50 in Dadeville was transferred Dec. 26 at no cost from Wilma L. Walding to James H. and Linda G. Randolph. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $17,500 and in 2017 the property tax was $105.00. • A lot and home on Coley Street in Alexander City was transferred Dec. 26 at no cost from R. T. Clements to R. T. Clements. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $19,120 and in 2017 the property tax was $72.00. • A lot and home on Coley Street in Alexander City was transferred Dec. 26 at no cost from the Jane C. McLeod Life Estate to John and Glenda Clements. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $90,340 and in 2017 the property tax was $0. • A lot on Montgomery Street in Alexander City was transferred Dec. 26 at no cost from the Jane C. McLeod Life Estate to John and Glenda Clements. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $7,000 and in 2017 the property tax $0. • 1-acre of property on Jacksons Loop in New Site was transferred Dec. 27 at no cost from Teresa K. Black to Teresa K. Eiland. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $4,500 and in 2017 the property tax was $27. • 2-acres of property and a home on Jacksons Loop in New Site was transferred Dec. 27 at no cost from Teresa K. Black to Teresa K. Eiland. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $39,620 and in 2017 the property tax was $118.80. • A lot on Old Susanna Road in Dadeville was transferred Dec. 27 for $6,000 from Nora G. Kellum to Nora J. Goff. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $10,500 and in 2017 the property tax was $63.00. • A lot on Valley Road in

Alexander City was transferred Dec. 27 for $65,860 from Lila Blankenship to Amanda Sepulveda. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $65,860 and in 2017 the property tax was $494.25. • A lot and home on Halliana Road in Alexander City was transferred Dec. 27 for $78,440 from Lila Blankenship to Amanda Sepulveda. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $78,440 and in 2017 property tax was $588.00. • A lot and home on Mohogo Road in Alexander City was transferred Dec. 28 at no cost from Penny Smitherman to Penny Annette Ford. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $19,180 and in 2017 property tax was $43.20. • A lot on Dixie Circle in Tallassee was transferred Dec. 28 for $141,000 from Patrick Alan Love and Heidi Knox to Gregory and Jane Heaster. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $143,620 and in 2017 the property tax was $316.00. • 2-acres and a home near Highway 49 in Tallassee was transferred Dec. 28 for $32,901 from Carla Connell to Braedon Fannin. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $67,300 and in 2017 the property tax was $202.20. • 4.03-acres and a home on North Thornton Road in Dadeville was transferred Dec. 28 at no cost from Reginald M. Stroud to Reginald M. and Mary E. Stroud. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $145,100 and in 2017 the property tax was $435.60. • 1.11-acres and a home on Herren Street in Dadeville was transferred Dec. 29 at no cost from Ethel Crapps to Ethel P. Adair. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $87,860 and in 2017 the property tax was $264.30. • A lot on Springhill Road in Alexander City was transferred Dec. 29 at no cost from Jennifer

W. Bennett to Jennifer W. Morris. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $1,000 and in 2017 the property tax was $2.25. • A lot and home on Springhill Road in Alexander City was transferred from Dec. 29 at no cost from Jennifer W. Bennett to Jennifer W. Morris. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $89,600 and in 2017 the property tax was $295.25. • A lot and home on Kerlin Avenue in Alexander City was transferred from Dec. 29 at no cost from Tim Williams and Elizabeth Erwin to Robert Malone. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $99,380 and in 2017 the property tax was $372.75. • A lot and home on Daine Drive in Jacksons Gap was transferred Jan. 2 at no cost from Richard and Crystal Haynes to Crystal Hickman. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $147,200 and in 2017 the property tax was $882.60. • 10-acres of property on Jacksons Loop in New Site was transferred Jan. 2 at no cost from Melvin Jackson to Teresa K. Black Eiland. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $23,340 and in 2017 the property tax was $84.00. • 4-acres and a home on Knight Road in Alexander City was transferred Jan. 3 for $7,500 from Henry Bookout to Gregory and Barbara Shivers. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $223,760 and in 2017 the property tax was $796.25. • A lot on Cherokee Road in Alexander City was transferred Jan. 4 from Charlie McGuire to Charles Richard McGuire and Charlie McGuire. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $112,760 and in 2017 the property tax was $846.00. • .83-acres on Walton Road in Alexander City was transferred Jan. 5 for $13,500 from Amanda W. Riddle to Jerry and Ruby Baker. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $5,600 and in

2017 the property tax was $33.60. • 121-acres near Trimble Road in Camp Hill was transferred Jan. 8 at no cost from Dr. James F. Bruce Jr. to Davison Bruce Properties. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $145,200 and in 2017 the property tax was $213.70. • A lot and home of 11th Avenue in Alexander City was transferred Jan. 10 at no cost from J or J Properties to Pearl Robinson as part of the 2017 tax sale. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $42,000 and in 2017 the property tax was $157.50. • 1.21-acres of property on Gravel Pit Drive in Tallassee was transferred Jan. 10 from J or J Properties to L.V. Humphries as part of the 2015 tax sale. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $6,800 and in 2017 the property tax was $20.40. • A lot on Pearson Chapel Road in Alexander City was transferred Jan. 10 from Tim Williams to Arthur Ray Russell as part of the 2016 tax sale. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $5,000 and in 2017 the property tax was $37.50. • A lot and home on 13th Avenue North in Alexander City was transferred Jan. 10 from Delta Properties to Perry L. Burke as part of the 2016 tax sale. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $93,900 and in 2017 the property tax was $352.50. • 2.5-acres on Highway 22 East in New Site was transferred Jan. 16 at no cost from Lurline Tapley to Garden of Love Cemetery. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $16,060 and in 2017 the property tax was $48.60. • A lot and home on Glynmere Drive in Alexander City was transferred Jan. 29 at no cost from Scott H. and Anne L. Howell to Scott H. Howell. Tallapoosa County has the property valued at $990,120 and in 2017 the property tax was $2309.97.

Have you ever seen police lights in your neighborhood and wondered what was going on? Ever see a for sale sign disappear on a piece of property and wonder who it belonged to, who had purchased it or the amount it sold for? All of that public information can be found on file with different agencies across the area, and it falls under the public record umbrella. But not many folks have the time to go to the courthouse or police station and dig through all the information to find what you are looking for. The Outlook will publish this information combined in one package each month. We will add additional categories as we develop sources to gather the data. We hope you find this informative. Let us know what you think by writing us at editor@alexcityoutlook.com.

Marriage Licenses In 2017, Tallapoosa County issued 251 marriage licenses. The following people were issued marriage licenses in Tallapoosa County since Dec. 21: • Merl Charles Davidson Jr. and Terri Denice Sharpe were issued a marriage license on Dec. 21. • Dustin Walker Lucas and Kristina Lee Pike were issued a marriage license on Dec. 22. • Selwyn Stephen Musser and Andrea Christi Els were issued a marriage license on Dec. 26. • James Patrick Peters and Hallie Danielle McDonald were issued a marriage license on Dec. 26. • Terry Lashun Boleware and Shannon Maria Whetstone were issued a marriage license on Dec. 28. • Billy Keith Stewart and Sherry Darlene Willis were issued a marriage license on Dec. 29. • Blake Harrison Hamby and Cynthia Ann Crawford were issued a marriage license on Dec. 29. • Jason Dewayne White and Heidi Mary Sherell were issued a marriage license on Jan. 4. • Gregory Alexander White and Jimenez Jacqueline Garcia were issued a marriage license on Jan. 5. • Lee Dale Meeks and Rhonda C. Meeks were issued a marriage license on Jan. 8. • Gregory Adams and Lavonne Annette Gaddis were issued a marriage license on Jan. 9. • John William Saxon and Rosie Lee Watkins were issued a marriage license on Jan. 9. • Joseph Carl Robinson and Melanie Jarrell Arnold were issued a marriage license on Jan. 9. • Darrin Wade Abbott and Traci Sinclair Gilchrist were issued a marriage license on Jan. 16. • Randall Brian McCullars and Debra Nicole Moore were issued a marriage license on Jan. 19. • Carl Demetrious McKnight Sr. and Angela Rena Knight were issued a marriage license on Jan. 19. • Davis James Peaden and Heidi Jo Tucker were issued a marriage license on Jan. 24. • Harlan Glenn Sturgill and Victoria Ann Whiting were issued a marriage license on Jan. 30.

Police Reports Alexander City Police Department February 1

• Justin Wade Towry, 24, of Alexander City was arrested for drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. • Jessie James Maxwell, 56, of Alexander City was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. • Tina Lavette Pearson, 49, of Alexander City was arrested for disorderly conduct and public intoxication. • Isaac Curtis Thomas, 37, of Alexander City was arrested for dissemination or display of child pornography. • Tyran Lecrest Marbury, 48, of Kellyton was arrested for theft. • Aaron Tyrone Traylor, 57, of Alexander City was arrested for possession of cocaine. • Harassment and criminal trespass was reported on Hillabee Street. • Possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia was reported in Magnolia Estates.

• Theft was reported on Highway 280. • Public intoxication and disorderly conduct was reported in Alexander City. • Criminal mischief and criminal trespass was reported on Pearson Chapel Road. • Possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia was reported on Highway 259.

January 31

• Joseph Edgar Grigsby, 32, of Alexander City was arrested for receiving stolen property. • Jeffery Lamar Smith, 37, of Alexander City was arrested for attempting to elude a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. • Drew Elijah Warden, 22, of Alexander City was arrested for four counts of failure to appear. • George Brandon Walters, 34, of Alexander City was arrested for four counts of bail jumping. • Leaving the scene of an accident was reported on Airport Road. • Criminal mischief was report-

ed on East Pine Street. • Fleeing or attempting to a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest was reported on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. • Theft was reported on Comer Street. • Theft was reported on Highway 280.

January 30

• Christopher Marvin Lantrhrip, 29, of Alexander City was arrested for bail jumping. • Latravius Terrell Kelley, 39, of Alexander City was arrested for assault. • Theft was reported on Highway 280. • A hit and run accident was reported on Highway 280. • Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle was reported on Elkahatchee Road. • Theft was reported on Jefferson Street.

Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department February 1 • Billy Sparks of Bishop Road

in Goodwater was arrested on two grand jury indictments of indecent exposure and sex abuse of a child under 12. • Jervarski Hutchins of Old Kellyton Road in Alexander City was arrested on two grand jury indictments for possession of synthetic marijuana and driving while revoked. • Jeffery Smith of D Street in Alexander City was arrested on an outstanding warrant for probation violation.

January 31

• Aubrey Meeks of Northwood Drive in Auburn was arrested on an outstanding warrant for theft by deception first. • Alonza Sweetwyne of Highway 63 North in Alexander City was arrested on three grand jury indictments for possession of marijuana first, attempting to elude and drug paraphernalia. • April Hawkins of Scott Road in Alexander City was arrested on a grand jury indictment for receiving stolen property fourth. • A resident of Main Street in Jacksons Gap filed a report for

criminal mischief.

January 30

• Alfred Hollie of Thomas Street in Alexander City was arrested for criminal trespass and was transported to the county jail. • A resident of This Ain’t It Road in Dadeville filed a report for theft of property. • Daniel Ferrell of West Church Street in Sylacauga was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear child support warrant while incarcerated in the county jail. • Jessica Johns of Meadows Avenue in Alexander City was arrested on a warrant for probation violation possession of Marijuana 1st and was transported to the county jail.

January 29

• Latravious Terrell Kelley from Hillcrest Road in Alexander City was arrested on three grand jury indictments for obstructing justice, public intoxication and attempting to elude. He was transported to the county jail. • A resident on Highway 49 South in Notasulga filed a report for harassment.

LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com

Weekend Edition, February 3-4, 2018

LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

BRHS should be hosting area tourney

Sports Outlook The

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 11

TRIPLE THREAT

ne thing that’s always bugged me about Alabama high school sports is the playoffs. There’s only a couple sports where the regular season even remotely matters. Football is one of them, as only the top four teams out of each region advance to the postseason. Baseball is similar with just the area winner and runner-up heading to the state bracket, and I think soccer is done similarly. But for quite a few of the sports — volleyball, basketball, softball — the regular season couldn’t really matter less. Every single team advances to the area tournament, and there are two teams from each area that get to the next level beyond that. As most of you know, I arrived at The Outlook at the tail end of baseball and softball seasons. I covered Horseshoe Bend’s run through the softball state playoffs, and I remember a team during the regional brackets that had a record of like 4-22 or something ridiculous like that. It had won a single game during the regular season, but then got hot during the area tournament — and by getting hot, I mean, won two games — to earn a spot at regional. That’s silly. The regular season should count for something. And I guess, in the case of a threeteam area like Benjamin Russell’s Class 6A Area 6 boys basketball with Wetumpka and Opelika, the regular season does matter a bit. But here’s where things get even wonkier. No one will ever be able to explain to me why BRHS isn’t hosting the boys basketball area tournament next week. Opelika is — based on a coin toss. And what’s more, in a three-team See ARBOGAST • Page 12

File / The Outlook

Dadeville’s Quanesha Presley is one of the top players for the softball, basketball and volleyball teams.

Presley excels in volleyball, hoops and softball Editor’s Note: This story is part of the series Triple Threat, which will focus on athletes in the area who are starters in three sports. If you or someone you know fits this description, contact Lizi Arbogast at lizi.arbogast@ alexcityoutlook.com. By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

If Dadeville’s Quanesha Presley is asked about her favorite sport, it’s hard for her decide between softball and volleyball. Volleyball might be her best sport — after all, she’s committed to continue her career on the court at Southern Union State Community College. But her skills as a softball shortstop have also earned her accolades such as being an Outlook First-Teamer in 2017. Despite all that, it’s hard to overlook just how strong Presley is on the basketball court, too. She’s by far the

team’s leading scorer and is also one of the Tigers’ best rebounders. “I’ve been playing all three for Dadeville since I was in the seventh grade,” Presley said. “It’s funny because I was planning to only play basketball and softball, and I was actually planning to go out for cheerleading. I had never played volleyball a day in my life, but I decided to try out, and all the older girls told me I had a lot of power and how good I was going to be.” Like most triple-sport athletes, Presley is simply used to playing sports all year round. It’s a way of life for her. She said the hardest part about transitioning so quickly from one sport to another isn’t necessarily the physical part, but the mental aspects. “I usually get about a week off to get my mind right, but it’s hard because I’m still worrying about the loss from basketball season then I have to jump right into softball,” Presley

said. “Physically, it’s also hard because basketball is using all legs and softball is all arms.” But playing in multiple sports, and playing them for so long, can help with both those obstacles. “It definitely helps with her mindset and her physical aspects because one helps the other as far as her keeping in shape,” Dadeville basketball coach Pam Holloway said. “She also deals with a lot of different student-athletes that play the different sports meaning she’s having to change her mindset from one sport to the next because she’s dealing with different teammates. “She’s really having to adjust to a lot to be able to work with different teammates, and that’s something that’ll help her at the college level.” Holloway also said it’s hard to get Presley to take any time off of sports. “I try to give athletes that down time if they’re playing volleyball when they See PRESLEY • Page 12

Coosa spoils Wildcats’ Senior Night By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

Five straight 3-pointers made all the difference for Central Coosa’s boys basketball team in the regular season finale against Benjamin Russell. Ahead by just one point midway through the third quarter, Omar Gaddis stepped up to the 3-point arc and nailed one. Then he nailed another. Jovon Richardson joined the party and drained one more. But Gaddis wasn’t done, as he hit another pair of backto-back 3-pointers to give the Cougars a double-figure lead they never relinquished in a 63-51 victory over BRHS. “(Coach Jeremy Freeman) told us to keep shooting, even though we were missing it in the first half,” Gaddis said. “Now, we’re going into the postseason with some confidence.” The victory completed the sweep, as the Cougars’ girls team dominated from the second quarter on en route to a 66-51 win. “I just think we weren’t focused,” Benjamin Russell girls coach Latreisha Moon said. “I’ve been telling them to focus all week. I don’t know if it had to do with Senior Night or whatever, but we looked flat from the beginning of the game to the end of the game. We never caught fire.” While Central Coosa’s girls started to pull away after a back-and-forth first quarter, it took the boys a bit longer. Benjamin Russell battled the Cougars all the way until the

Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook

Left: Central Coosa’s Jovon Richardson takes a shot against Benjamin Russell. Right: Central Coosa’s Ryesha Whetstone, left, is guarded by Benjamin Russell’s Bre Smith on Friday night. The Cougars swept the regular season finale.

3-point spree and even led 25-21 early in the third quarter. Then Coosa scored 20 straight points. “Coach told us at halftime to play with confidence,” Richardson said. “Once you hit one, you feel great and you’re fitting to hit all of them.” Richardson might’ve added another 3-pointer in the run if not for being fouled. But the foul seemed to ignite a moment between Richardson and Freeman that showed despite having an entire quarter left to play, they knew the Cougars had this one in the bag. “At that point when that happened, we just had that eye contact that OK, we felt it,” Freeman said. “I try to tell them don’t worry about the juncture in the game, don’t worry about the man that’s

guarding you, but believe in your form and technique. When I saw that look in (Omar’s) eyes, there wasn’t any doubt in my mind that he had to get the ball. Then once they started double teaming him, of course that opened up Jovon.” Benjamin Russell coach Lewis Daniel said, “That’s what the 3-ball will do for you. I stopped counting right around seven, and that’s 21 points that you can’t answer for. That’s pretty much why the 3-ball is in the game. It can make or break you. It can make you look like a great basketball team, and they shot it well.” Gaddis finished with 27 points, while Richardson had 18. For BRHS, Za Stowes and Jaden Tuck split 24 evenly. In Central Coosa’s girls win, it was a much different

strategy. Instead of needing to play a strong perimeter game, the Cougars showed up on the inside, holding down the strength of Benjamin Russell’s post players. Although Jaaliyah Caldwell still had a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double, she didn’t quite hurt as much as usual. Coosa’s Shae Suttles had a big performance with 12 points and 12 rebounds. “You noticed we switched into a 2-3 zone this time because we wanted a better seal on (Caldwell),” Coosa coach Syreeta McKinney said. “I saw that if we could seal her both ways without causing any fouls, we could slow her down. That was my goal. Ever since we lost, that was my ultimate goal, and we have been studying strategy.”

Although it was early in the game, Adrianna Flowers hit a pair of key 3-pointers that seemed to change the makeup of the game. After taking a lead midway through the second, Central Coosa never trailed again. Benjamin Russell didn’t help itself with 17 missed free throws and 23 turnovers. Now, the Wildcats are tasked with quickly forgetting this sweep, as they turn around and face Wetumpka in the area tournament Monday night. “I told the group in our pregame talk how tonight ends up does not dictate our performance Monday,” Daniel said. “We would’ve loved to win this game and rolled into Monday on a high, but how you perform Monday blows this out of the way.”

Page 12

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Weekend Edition, February 3-4, 2018

The Outlook

Area tourneys begin Monday By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

With the regular season officially coming to a close Friday night, the local basketball teams will quickly turn their attention toward the area tournaments, which begin as early as Monday. Central Coosa’s girls and boys team have a legitimate shot to hoist the area trophies, and several others will be hunting down the title, or at least a spot in the sub-regionals. The top two teams from each area advance with the winner hosting a sub-regional first-round game. “I feel really good about it,” Central Coosa boys coach Jeremy Freeman said. “I want to make sure that we compete at a high level because it’s so important not to have to travel that first round.” For both the boys and girls, they’ll be the clear favorite in Class 3A Area 6. The girls start Monday and host B.B Comer at 5 p.m.; the winner will take on the Beulah versus Randolph County victory on Wednesday for the championship at 6 p.m. The boys matchups and times are the same but will be Tuesday and Thursday. No team came within single figures of Central Coosa during the regular season, and the main focus will be to make sure the Cougars don’t get complacent. “First thing that you put in front of these guys is it’s always hard to beat an opponent three times,” Freeman said. “What you want to do is not take anyone for granted because in the first round, if we don’t come out and do what we do, we’re out. That’s a scenario we just don’t want because it’s so frustrating to be one and done. I’ve been reminding them not take anyone lightly.” Benjamin Russell also begins Monday, as both teams face Wetumpka at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively. Opelika will host the Class 6A Area 6 tournaments with the championships on Wednesday at 5 and 7. On the girls side, the Wildcats have to take the same mentality of not getting complacent. After they defeated the Indians, 63-30 on Monday, they turned right around and escaped with just a 46-41 victory Tuesday. “When we first got into that gym, we thought they were just gonna lay down because we beat them by 30,” BRHS girls coach Latreisha Moon said. “I feel like it’s going to be a dogfight because since

AREA TOURNAMENTS Monday, Feb. 5 High school boys basketball Class 6A Area 6 tournament Benjamin Russell vs. Wetumpka at Opelika, 7 p.m. High school girls basketball Class 6A Area 6 tournament Benjamin Russell vs. Wetumpka at Opelika, 5 p.m. Class 4A Area 5 tournament Holtville vs. Dadeville at Alabama Chri., 6 Class 3A Area 6 tournament B.B. Comer at Central Coosa, 5 p.m. Beulah vs. Randolph County at Coosa, 6:30 Class 2A Area 8 tournament Reeltown vs. LaFayette at Lanett, 5 p.m. Horseshoe Bend at Lanett, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6 High school boys basketball Class 4A Area 5 tournament Elmore County vs. Holtville at Dadeville, 6 p.m. Class 3A Area 6 tournament B.B. Comer at Central Coosa, 5 p.m. Beulah vs. Randolph County at Coosa, 6:30 Class 2A Area 8 tournament Reeltown vs. LaFayette at Lanett, 5 p.m. Horseshoe Bend at Lanett, 6:30 p.m.

File / The Outlook

Dadeville’s Jalen Sullivan will help lead the Tigers as they host their area boys basketball tournament beginning Tuesday.

we only beat them by five points, they feel like they can beat us. Our guards are going to have to step up and play because they were double- and triple-teaming our post players.” Moon said she’ll be relying on Shay Johnson, Bre Smith and Aaliyah Thomas to all have big games from the guard position. Despite BRHS’ boys team sweeping Wetumpka in the regular season, there’s no clear-cut favorite. The Wildcats won by a combined five points and one of the victories required overtime. “Our area is pretty competitive,” Benjamin Russell boys coach Lewis Daniel said. “Obviously the team that goes in and effectively plays good defense, takes care of the basketball and scores points consistently will be fine. I think it’s just so hard to call it based on the way we’ve competed with each other.” Dadeville’s boys team, which is hosting the Class 4A Area 5 tournament beginning Tuesday, earned the top seed in its area on a coin toss. The Tigers get a bye through Tuesday’s game, then will take on either Elmore County or Holtville on Thursday. The championship will be against either Alabama Christian or Tallassee. For the girls, the Tigers got a good

draw, taking on Holtville, which they swept, in the first round Monday at Alabama Christian. If they win, they’ll take on the hosts Wednesday before the potential championship game Friday. “With the growth we’ve had, I hope we continue to improve and take advantage of the opportunity we have,” Dadeville girls coach Pam Holloway said. “We need to understand that it starts over, and we’ve got to continue on the improvements we’ve made to have a good showing and be competitive.” Horseshoe Bend and Reeltown are both going to have a hard time in the Class 2A Area 8 tournaments, as they were swept by top seeds LaFayette and Lanett during the regular season. The girls tourney begins Monday and the boys Tuesday; both will be hosted by the Panthers. “We feel pretty good,” Reeltown boys coach Jonathan Gardner said. “We’re playing real good together right now, and the boys are feeling pretty good. They gotta be disciplined and play our game.” Generals girls coach Erica Meigs said, “We’re going to have to play four quarters. That’s what I’ve been stressing all year. We’ll play two real good quarters, then it falls off. We’re going to have to handle the pressure, and set our minds that we can do it because we can.”

Wednesday, Feb. 7 High school boys basketball Class 6A Area 6 tournament Championship: BRHS-Wetumpka winner at Opelika, 7 p.m. High school girls basketball Class 3A Area 6 tournament Championship at Central Coosa, 6 p.m. Class 4A Area 5 tournament Tallassee vs. Elmore County at Alabama Christian, 5 p.m. Holtville-Dadeville winner at Alabama Christian, 7 p.m. Class 6A Area 6 tournament Championship: BRHS-Wetumpka winner at Opelika, 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8 High school boys basketball Class 3A Area 6 tournament Championship at Central Coosa, 6 p.m. Class 4A Area 5 tournament Alabama Christian vs. Tallassee at Dadeville, 5 p.m. Elmore County-Holtville winner at Dadeville, 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9 High school boys basketball Class 2A Area 8 tournament Championship at Lanett, 6:30 p.m. High school girls basketball Class 4A Area 5 tournament Championship at Alabama Christian, 6 p.m. Class 2A Area 8 tournament Championship at Lanett, 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 High school boys basketball Class 4A Area 5 tournament Championship at Dadeville, 6 p.m.

Lake Martin to kick off Elite Series schedule next week STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

It’s been almost four months since Brandon Palaniuk raised the trophy at the final Bassmaster Elite Series event of 2017, but the long countdown to a new season is nearly done. The 2018 Bassmaster Elite Series will make its first-ever visit next week to Lake Martin, a 44,000-acre impoundment on the Tallapoosa River, for the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge. Competition will take place Thursday through Saturday, with daily takeoffs at 6:15 a.m. from Wind Creek State Park and weigh-ins back at the park each day at 2:30 p.m. Chad Miller, an Eclectic, Ala., angler who won the Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Martin in November, said a number of styles could lead to success in the event. “You can catch them right now in 1 foot of water all the way out to 40 feet of water,” Miller said. “I think it’s anybody’s ballgame because of that. I think it could be won with 12 pounds a day — and if somebody can find a couple of 5-pounders, they can blow it away for sure.”

Miller said he recently caught a 5-pound spotted bass at Martin in less than 2 feet of water. But the bigger fish on the lake are usually largemouth, and the winning angler will likely need a good mixed bag each day. That combination of species — coupled with the mystery surrounding the venue — will make for an interesting tournament dynamic. During the offseason, B.A.S.S. officials enacted a rule that prohibits Elite Series competitors from accepting information from outside sources about fishing locations in lakes on the tournament schedule from outside sources. Since the 13-year-old Elite Series has never visited Lake Martin — and none of the B.A.S.S. Opens circuits have been there in more than a decade — less than half the anglers in this year’s Elite field have had significant experience on the lake. “There are certainly some veterans in the field who have fished down there, but it’s been a long time for them,” B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon said. “You also have some local guys like Matt Herren, Greg Vinson and Kelley Jaye who have done a lot of fishing there.” For those who fished competitively on

Presley

Martin, whatever knowledge they bring to Thursday’s first round will have to have been compiled during the pre-practice period before the lake went off-limits on Jan. 8 or during the three official practice days Monday through Wednesday. “It’s definitely one of the more unknown commodities on the schedule this year,” Weldon said. Ironically, Weldon knows the lake about as well as anyone, having won numerous major events there as a tournament angler. He also finished second in the 1999 Bassmaster Eastern Invitational on Martin, a year before he took over as regular tournament director for B.A.S.S. “This is kind of a unique event for me as a tournament director, but also as a seasoned tournament angler on Lake Martin,” Weldon said. “I’ve fished there for 40 years now. I’ve fished literally hundreds of tournaments on that lake.” Martin would normally be about 10 to 12 feet below full pool this time of year, but as of Wednesday, it was down less than 8 feet. Weldon said he believes it will take about 55 pounds to win the four-day event. “It’s not going to be a Toledo Bend or Sam Rayburn-type tournament where you see a lot of 20-pound bags,” Weldon

continued from page 11

File / The Outlook

Quanesha Presley is Dadeville’s leading scorer in basketball despite being committed to play volleyball at the collegiate level.

come into basketball,” Holloway said. “Sometimes I have to make her take that down time because she does not want to be looked at like she’s not doing her part.” On the volleyball court, Presley was the top hitter for the Tigers and she was a rock from her shortstop position for the softball team. She was the leading hitter with a .487 batting average and smacked four home runs. And that was just when she was a junior. Although sports have dominated most of her high school life, Presley wouldn’t change that. “I would tell others to definitely play multiple sports,” she said. “It keeps you out of trouble, and it also makes you really dedicated because you feel like you have to be the perfect student. It’s really good in multiple ways.”

said. “A 20-pound bag could certainly happen, but I’m going to say it probably won’t. I think we could see a lot of 17- and 18-pound bags.” With more than 700 miles of shoreline and a higher-than-normal lake level, Weldon said there will be plenty of room for the field to spread out — and like his friend Miller, he believes the tournament could be won with a variety of techniques. “I fished a tournament on Jan. 6 when it was 19 degrees at takeoff,” Weldon said. “Our first fish came out of 2 feet of water, and we also caught fish 30-feet deep that day.” With plenty of smaller spotted bass likely to come to the scales, the separating factor, he agreed, will be finding a big fish or two each day. “You need that 3- to 5-pound kicker,” Weldon said. “If you can have one of those in your bag every day with a good limit of spots, you’ll be in the running. “I’m looking forward to seeing what the lake can do.” The event will be hosted by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce. Information in this release was provided by B.A.S.S.

Arbogast bracket, the winner of said tournament has automatically ensured a spot in the sub-regional. This is a chance where the regular season could’ve mattered, but it doesn’t. A coin toss matters more. Benjamin Russell and Opelika both finished the season with a 3-1 area record; they both defeated the Indians twice and split with each other. But here’s the kicker, when Opelika defeated the Wildcats, it did so by 1 point; Benjamin Russell’s win over the Bulldogs was by 13 points. But the tiebreaker is a coin toss? OK, that makes sense. There are certainly times when the regular season being thrown out the window is a positive for teams. Look at a team like Dadeville’s girls squad, which has gone through some serious ups and downs and personnel changes throughout the season. Just through the eye test, you can see how much better the Tigers have gotten over the last few weeks. After defeating Holtville in the first round, there’s

continued from page 11

a chance Dadeville could pull off an upset of Alabama Christian, advance to the Class 4A Area 5 championship and earn a spot in the sub-regional. After all, the Eagles beat Dadeville by 17 points the first time around and only 12 in the second meeting. That’s a scenario I’d love to see for one of our local teams, of course, but if I’m Alabama Christian with an 11-14 record and a team gets to the next round with a potential 4-12 record, I probably wouldn’t feel too good about it. It also doesn’t allow you any time to have a bad night. Every team has an off night — its star player is out with the flu; it isn’t shooting well; it commits too many fouls — and that could be the difference between a team who had a fantastic regular season and a team who won a couple games at the right time. It just doesn’t seem fair. But, at least it doesn’t come down to a coin toss. Lizi Arbogast is the sports editor of The Outlook.

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 1

“He has our hearts. It’s up to us to keep them healthy.”

Heart attack survivors Pam and Jeff Robinson with grandson John Bierman

www.russellcares.com

DISCOVER THE CELEBRATED FLAVORS OF ITTA BENA.

xperience the charm of fine dining at Itta Bena, tucked away upstairs at Wind Creek Montgomery. Slip on in and enjoy a cool libation with a delta twist. Then savor some gourmet southern cuisine with a taste of Beale Street on the side. From the 8 oz. center cut filet to the shrimp and grits, every dish at Itta Bena is designed to tempt. So come discover this modern day speakeasy and get a taste of something good, plus a little treat on us…it’s our little secret.

Present this coupon to your server for a:

FREE APPETIZER with an entrée purchase.

Limit one per person per table. Offer expires 04/30/18. May not be used in conjunction with any other offers.

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 3

Letter from the Editor

Staff

Lake Martin is a destination. People come here from across the country because the lake has so much to offer: quality of life, recreation, economic opportunity and wedding memories that dreams are made of. Though it’s that last one that this annual bridal edition celebrates, in this issue you also will find that Lake Martin is a fishing destination, a retirement and second home destination and a golf destination. Weddings take place at Lake Martin every weekend all year long, and they are spectacular. How could they be anything less with Alabama’s pristine Treasured Lake as a backdrop? This year, we feature three beautiful weddings on the lake. Hayes Holliday and Matt Saul’s Willow Point reception graces our February cover, and we talked with Hayes, a Lake Martin native, about how the lake enhanced her wedding dreams as she grew up here. Share in the joy of her wedding day on page 40 and read about other Lake Martin destination weddings, engagements, events and stories starting on page 26. Then, lest we neglect so much more of what Lake Martin is, come along as the lake hosts its biggest fishing tournament ever – the Bassmaster Elite Series season opener in which the top professional anglers around the world compete for the title of best of the best. Learn more on pages 18 and 66. And what a treat it was to meet Freida and Stan Limerick, who graciously shared with us a tour of their fine Blue Creek home on page 46. Though they only recently moved to Lake Martin full time, Freida and Stan have visited, vacationed and dreamed of life at the lake for years, and they’ve built a home that reflects their love for family, their memories of magic and their passion for Lake Martin’s beauty and lifestyle. Check out more to see and do at Lake Martin in the calendar of events on page 14, and let’s celebrate Lake Martin as a destination together.

Chairman KENNETH BOONE

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Publisher STEVE BAKER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Managing Editor BETSY ILER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Assistant Magazine Editor AMY PASSARETTI

amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing/Advertising Director TIPPY HUNTER

tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com

KATIE WESSON

katie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com

REBECCA CARLISLE

rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com

ERIN BURTON

erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com

Circulation Manager DAVID KENDRICK

david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com

Creative Services AUDRA SPEARS

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

DARLENE JOHNSON

darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com

HALLIE HOLLOWAY

hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors Betsy Iler, Managing Editor

On the Cover Fresno, California's, Matt Saul and Lake Martin, Alabama's, Holliday Hayes were wed last summer at Church in the Pines and celebrated with a reception at Willow Point Golf & Country Club. This year's bridal issue of Lake magazine features three beautiful destination weddings at Lake Martin, engagement stories at the lake and tips on how to pull off a beautiful lake event. Photo by Brad Burckel Photography

4 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

KENNETH BOONE JOHN COLEY JULIE HUDSON CLIFF WILLIAMS MATT SHEPPARD MITCH SNEED JAMISON SKINNER GREG VINSON ROB MCDANIEL

DONALD CAMPBELL LIZI ARBOGAST DEE WALKER JOHN THOMPSON BRAD BURCKEL HARRISON TAYLOR 509 PHOTO DAVID LEIVA MEGAN MULLINS All content, including all stories and photos are copyright of:

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

FURNITURE WAREHOUSE

894 Hillabee Street Alexander City, AL

OPEN EVERY SAT. 9am-4pm CLOSEOUTS • ONE-OF-A-KIND ITEMS • DISCOUNTED MDSE

6400 Highway 63 South, Alexander City, AL 35010 docksunlimitedllc.com (256) 203-8400 Check out our Facebook Page: Docks Unlimited

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 5

(334) 745-7966

primehomehealth.net

Healthcare Provided in the Comfort of Your Own Home Skilled Nursing Care • IV Medication Medication Education • Disease Management Post Operative Care • Wound Management Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy 6 LAKE PHH17_HalfPg_Magazine_8.2017_2.indd 1

FEBRRUARY 2018 8/24/17 3:14 PM

Contents

18. AMONG THE ELITE Lake Martin hits the big time as anglers vie for the title of the best of the best 21. GALA Hospital foundation's signature event to honor local oncologist 26. REHEARSAL PARTY ON THE GREEN Guests gather at Friday On the Green for pre-wedding festivities 8. SHARE THE GIFT OF LAKE MARTIN Destination keepsakes introduce wedding guests to Lake Martin 30. ALICE AND JOE Nothing can dampen a bride's joy on her wedding day – not even the rain 34. A PERFECT FALL WEDDING New Lake Martin residents host autumn wedding at Stillwaters 37. LOST AND FOUND The tale of a lost wedding band found in the depths of Lake Martin's waters 38. SENTIMENTAL SUNSET PROPOSAL A surprise set up at this bride-to-be's favorite family dock on the lake

40. DREAMS COME TRUE An elegant, soft summer wedding will forever hold memories of Hayes Holliday and Matt Saul's special day 46. FOREVER STYLE A Blue Creek home is designed with the forever future in mind

LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:

- edition

9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO

54. LAKE Q&A

THE LAKE

58. LAKE PROPERTY

10. LAKE SCENES

61. LMRA

13. WHERE IS LAKE?

62. HEALTHY LIVING

14. LAKE MARTIN EVENTS

65. CHEF'S TABLE

16. LAKE MARTIN NEWS

66. BIG CATCHES

22. NATURE OF THE LAKE

68. HOPPY DAYS

25. FAB FINDS

70. PAR FOR THE COURSE

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.

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 7

Your Local Electrical Experts Serving Lake Martin and Surrounding Areas

Your FULL SERVICE Electrician • Troubleshooting • Old House Wiring • Lighting Fixtures

• Circuit Breaker Upgrades • Outlets/Switches/Fixtures • Boat Lift Wiring • Underground Service • Pier Lighting • Back-up generators & more!

256-234-0007 www.candtelectricllc.com

8 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

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

December 2017 December 2014 December 2011

Number of sales

Average selling price

Median selling price

Days on the market

Total houses for sale

Inventory/ sales ratio

22 15 4

$463,541 $624,500 $443,250

$347,500 $570,000 $395,000

173 232 68

163 228 312

5.34 9.67 18.26

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.)

Lake Watch Lake Martin sets annual meeting Members and guests are invited to the Lake Watch of Lake Martin Annual Meeting March 4 at the StillWaters Home Owners Association Building. Lunch will be served. Tickets are $10 per person. Guest speaker Dr. Bill Deutsch will discuss his book, Rivers of Alabama, and the Tallapoosa Basin. Dr. Deutsch is the founder of Alabama Water Watch and Global Water Watch. Dr. Deutsch was a research fellow in the Auburn University Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures from 1988 to 2013 and served as Director of Alabama Water Watch. Eric Reutebuch also will provide a water monitoring update. For time, more information and registration, visit www.lakewatch.org or email info@lakewatch.org.

Lake Levels Last Month Summer: 491MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 483.98 Lowest: 483.88 For up-to-date lake levels, log on to https:// lakes.alabamapower. com.

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.

A passerby snapped this photo of a bear climbing out of Lake Martin

As the weather warms, watch for increased bear sightings With black bear season upon us and as the weather starts to warm, be cautious of the possible increase in bear sightings throughout Alabama, including the Lake Martin area. According to a recent study of black

bear populations by Dr. Todd Steury of Auburn University, the interaction between humans and bears saw an uptick last year that will likely continue into the current season. The conclusion of the study was that Alabama has two populations of black bears, and the one in the northeast has potential for expansion. The results also gave researchers population numbers, genetic diversity, points of origin and connections to other bear populations. Steury said the DNA data indicated the population in northeast Alabama more than doubled, going from about 12 bears to 30. Northeast Alabama bears are finding suitable habitat to establish home ranges and expand the population. “The bears are breeding,” Steury said. “We have seen numerous examples of sows with two or three cubs on our game cameras. We feel like the population there is going to grow, and there are still bears coming in from Georgia. Most of the bears sighted at Lake Martin in recent years have been migrants from these two populations.

Weather Outlook for February February 2017 Forecast

Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the high 50s with average lows in the mid-to-low 30s and nearly 5 inches of precipitation in the month of February. The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be above normal and rainfall will be slightly below normal this month.

Year to Date

Precipitation: 0.63 inches Avg. high temp.: 48.3 Avg. low temp.: 26.5 Average temp.: 37.4

FEBRUARY 2018

Our Normal February Precipitation: 5.35 inches Avg. high temp.: 59.3 Information from the Avg. low temp.: 34.6 National Weather Average temp.: 47.0 Service. LAKE 9

LAKE SCENE PEOPLE AND PLACES

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Reader Submissions 5

10 LAKE

(1) Collier McBride, age 4, catches her first fish at her parent's cabin on Cocktail Slough on Lake Martin. (2) Trudie Owings took this picture of her son Luke fishing at Wind Creek State Park in October. (3) Fall doesn't get much prettier on Lake Martin than this view below Smith Mountain from Cheryl Gainer McCall. (4) Audrey Patton wears her princess dress under her life jacket for a ride on the boat. (5) Kyle Thornton enjoys the fall foliage behind Catherine's Market.

FEBRRUARY 2018

PIER

Call now to schedule your Spring projects.

COMPOSITE RE-DECK

BOAT HOUSE

BOAT LIFT

www.sunrisedocksllc.com EZ PORTS

TITAN STAIR TREADS

Office: 256-392-5200 Jim Bain 256-794-1443

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 11

12 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LAKE?

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

PEOPLE AND PLACES

4 5

Reader Submissions (1) Gail Peacock Barker and Sharon Autrey Spears took Lake Martin Living and Lake magazines with them on their Carnival Fantasy Cruise out of Mobile, Alabama. (2) Butch Veazey took Lake magazine to the source of the River Nile in Jinja, Uganda. (3) Austin and Casey Teel invited Lake magazine to the rehearsal dinner at Orlando Hard Rock Café the night before their wedding. (4) Susan and John Prophitt, Tony and Nina Johnson and Ed and Virginia Gilmore took Lake along on a cruise to Aruba and Curacao. (5) Chad and Danah Gilliland and Randy Britt took Lake to South Africa at Damara's Game Ranch.

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 13

Feb. 2 Mardi Gras Auction

The Rodeo Club in Dadeville. Tickets are $15 in advance at Kowliga Country studios, 1051 Tallapoosa St. or $20 at the door. VIP tickets are also available.

St. James Episcopal will host live and silent auctions, raffles, wine/beer/non-alcholic beverages, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and entertainment. Doors open at 6 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Feb. 9 Church, 347 S. Central Ave., Alexander City. Tickets are $25 Valentine’s Event in advance and $30 at the door. All monies benefit Feast of Six past state pageant winners and the reigning Ms. Sharing, a ministry of St. James and First United Methodist Alabama Sr. America will perform popular love songs, a churches, providing a free meal twice a week to people in the romantic aria and tap dance their way into our hearts. Doors area. Contact St. James Episcopal open at 6:30 p.m. on state Route 9 Church at 256-234-4752 or in Equality. Contact Wayne Glenn CALENDAR OF EVENTS Denise Graves 205-826-4066 for at 334-541-3302 for more informore information. mation.

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN

Feb. 3 Gumbo Cook-off

Feb. 10 Critter Crawl

MainStreet Alexander City will host a New Orleans-styled event with a gumbo cook-off, live music and activities for all ages at Queen’s Attic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. First place winners of the cook-off will get $500 cash; second place will receive $250; and third place takes home $100. For information, contact Executive Director Bre Smith at 256-329-9227.

The Alabama Nature Center will host its annual Critter Crawl trail run through Lanark’s 5-mile trail system. New this year is the Yeti Dash, which is a 1-mile trail system run, and participants in costume will be eligible for a Yeti Dash medal. The 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. with the 1-mile run starting at 9:45 a.m. Sign up on active.com. Call 334-285-4550 for information.

Feb. 5 Horizons Unlimited

Sadie McClendon, Photographer Glenn 10 years old, will Wills presents Forgotten perform at Copper's Alabama through 10,000 Grill Feb. 10 photos of abandoned churches, buildings, vehicles and schools throughout Alabama’s 67 counties. The presentation will be held at the Alexander City Board of Education located at 375 Lee St from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., and refreshments are available. Membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple for the whole Horizons Unlimited semester.

Feb. 8-11 Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament

B.A.S.S. will launch the tournament series opener from Wind Creek State Park on Lake Martin with the top 111 professional anglers in the world. The public is invited to watch the daily launch at 6:15 a.m. and weigh-in at 2:30 p.m., as well as visit the Series Expo on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, see the article on page 18 and the sports pages of The Alex City Outlook or visit www.bassmaster.com/elite.

Feb. 9 Concert at The Rodeo Club

Kowaliga Country 97.5 FM and Lake Martin Tractor and Outdoor are teaming up to bring Daryle Singletary to 14 LAKE

Feb. 10 Sadie McClendon at Copper’s

Official member of the Last Honky Tonk Music Series, 10-year-old Sadie McClendon will perform at Copper’s Grill at Stillwaters at 6:30 p.m. The Last Honky Tonk Music Series is a historic roots music series featuring national artists.

Feb. 12 Horizons Unlimited

Peggy Shores, Ms. Missouri Sr. America 2002, will present Songs from the Heart at the Alexander City Board of Education located at 375 Lee St. The meeting is held from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., and refreshments are available. Membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple for the Horizons Unlimited semester.

Feb. 16 Motown Magic

Alexander City Arts, Inc., presents an evening of Motown at 7 p.m. at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium. For ticket information, visit AlexanderCityArts.org.

FEBRRUARY 2018

Feb. 23 Equality Performing Arts Center

Birmingham musician Hunter Goff performs at the EPAC at 6:30 p.m. on state Route 9 in Equality. For more information, contact Wayne Glenn at 334-541-3302.

Feb. 24 Russell Medical Foundation Gala

Proceeds from this formal ball at Willow Point Golf & Country Club will help to establish the Russell Medical Foundation’s Dr. John C. Blythe Healthcare Scholarship. Dinner at 6 p.m. with music and dancing at 7 p.m. Tickets are $150 each. Contact Tammy Jackson at tjackson@russellmedcenter.com for tickets and information.

Feb. 24 9th Annual Russell Forest Run

Hosted by Russell Lands On Lake Martin, the Russell Forest Run is a 5K and 10K scenic trail run over rolling hills on sand, clay and gravel roads. The 10K race starts at Russell Crossroads at 7:45 a.m., with a 5K run beginning at 7:55 a.m. Each runner will receive a high performance running shirt. Registration is $40, and proceeds help provide educational tools for students in the Alexander City school system. Plus, the grits bar and after-party at The Stables are second to none. For information, call 256-3971019.

Feb. 26 Horizons Unlimited

Dr. James Hansen, an expert in aerospace history, will present Neil

Armstrong at the Alexander City Board of Education located at 375 Lee St. The meeting is held from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., and refreshments are available. Membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple for the whole Horizons Unlimited semester.

Season-Long Events Alabama Wildlife Federation Naturalist Hikes

Every Tuesday and Friday, from 10 a.m. until noon, hike some of Lanark’s 5 miles of trails with an experienced Alabama Nature Center naturalist by your side. Learn how to bird or identify plants and animals; splash through the creek; or catch insects in the meadow. General admission applies and is $5 per person with a $20 maximum per family. The Alabama Nature Center is located at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook. Visit alabamawildlife.org to check holiday closings.

Memory Makers Quilt Guild

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

Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony Exhibit

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

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 Childrenall year longs Hospital. Call 334-857-2008 for information.

Charity Bingo

Play charity bingo at Jake's Restaurant at 16 Broad St., Alexander City at 6 p.m. every Thursday night. Cards are $1 and proceeds benefit local charities.

Millerville Trade Day

Bibb Graves School on Highway 9 hosts this trade day on the third Saturday of every month from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Find books, toys, models, coins, lamps, original artwork, jewelry, clothing, antiques, glassware, quilts, home décor and more. Refreshments available.

256.215.FISH (3474)

2190 Cherokee Road , Alex City, AL

www.alexcitymarine.com

Certified Outboard Dealer

Call us today about our Winterization Specials! FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 15

Lake Martin News Lake Martin marinas top the ranks OneWater Marine Holdings, owner of Singleton marinas on Lake Martin and others throughout North America, was ranked number one by Boating Industry's Top 100 dealers of 2017. OneWater Marine Holdings is based out of Buford, Georgia, and Singleton Marine was founded in 1988. “It’s about more than selling more boats than the competition. The primary criteria evaluated are demonstrating business acumen and creative marketing; delivering great service; and focusing on constant improvement,” said Jennifer Shockley of Blue Creek Marina. Austin Singleton, CEO, started out on Lake Martin, working from the bottom up, and realized he wanted to expand the family boating experience to other lakes, said Shockley. Singleton Marine now has 54 locations across the U.S. and OneWater has won this honor of top dealer for the second year. “Anytime you are presented with such an honor for two years in a row, customers, future customers and future team members will hold us to a certain expectation. That increases our drive and desire to do even better. It’s a privilage to work for such a family-oriented company,” said Shockley. Alexander City’s Russell Marine was ranked number three in the only independent ranking of boat dealers throughout North America. “From the thousands of dealers in North America, these 100 dealers are the best of the best. These dealers excel not only

16 LAKE

OneWater Marine Holdings was named the top boat dealer in North America

at the business of selling boats, but also at delivering a great customer experience,” said Jonathan Sweet, Top 100 program director, at a gala in December. This is the 13th year Boating Industry has celebrated the Top 100 boat dealers, and the list is getting stronger, said Sweet. “The Top 100 and Hall of Fame rankings topped $3 billion in total revenue in 2016, surpassing the previous year’s total by more than $400 million,” Sweet added. Skier’s Marine, Inc., out of Sterret, Alabama, also made the Top 100 list. ~ Staff Report

FEBRRUARY 2018

Popular nightclub re-opens The building formerly home to well-known Lake Martin nightspot Colonel Tom’s Tavern has recently reopened under a new name and new management. CT’s Bar opened at the beginning of last month after several months of construction and remodeling. A liquor license was approved in October by the Tallapoosa County Commission for new owner Jeffery Mark Welcher. The club on Highway 49 near Dadeville was sold by its previous owner Tom McElroy in July, and CT’s is currently open Fridays and Saturdays, with the potential to expand its opening from Thursday through Sunday starting this month. The bar is open to those 21 years of age and older and hosts pool tables, dartboards, a free photo booth and live entertainment. River Dan performed on opening night, and more music is slated for weekends to come. Arsonists burned Colonel Tom’s during a burglary in the early morning of Dec. 14, 2016, and the two men responsible entered guilty pleas and were granted youth offender status.

Big Green Egg

Golden Foundry Cast Iron Cooker

The building formerly known as Colonel Tom's is now occupied by CT's Bar

~Staff Report

Two arrested for theft around Lake Martin The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office arrested two suspects in connection with a dozen home burglaries, according to Sheriff Bill Franklin. Two men were taken into custody after being caught breaking into at least five homes in one day in the Real Island community. When the sheriff’s department descended upon them, they split up to make things more difficult, said Franklin. Allen Wesson, 58, and George Megan, 24, confessed to targeting approximately 30 homes in the Lake Martin area in Elmore, Tallapoosa and Coosa counties, and targeting unoccupied homes, said Franklin. Both suspects are charged with eight counts of burglary, theft and possession of burglar’s tools in Elmore County but may face more charges in other counties. Bonds are set at $40,000 for each count. ~Staff Report

KUDU

Blaze

FEBRUARY 2018

1548 HWY 280, ALEX CITY 256-234-0450 SATTERFIELDINC.COM

LAKE 17

Among the

Lake Martin will host the Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament Feb. 8-11

18 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

Elite Lake Martin hits the big time as Bassmaster Elite Series opens 2018 season here with the world's best professional anglers STORY BY BETSY ILER & LIZI ARBOGAST PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE

olunteers are still needed for a local crew that will help to pull off the most prestigious fishing tournament Lake Martin has ever hosted. The Bassmaster Elite Series season opener will launch Feb. 8 from Wind Creek State Park with the world’s best 111 professional anglers, a nationwide media crew, sponsors and fans. B.A.S.S. is the world’s largest fishing organization, and the Bassmaster Elite Series is the highest level of competition. In addition to top-name national sponsors that include Toyota, Humminbird, Mercury, Yamaha and Carhartt, the event will be recorded for later television viewing on ESPN2. “We expect 100 percent occupancy in our hotels. Already, we’re seeing people coming into town in preparation for the

tournament,” said Alexander City Chamber of Commerce President Ed Collari. The population of the local area could swell by as much as 15,000 to 20,000 people during the tournament, Collari said, as many of the anglers travel with their families, sponsor representatives and crews. Fans also follow the tournament, taking to the lake to trail their favorite sportsmen, and the B.A.S.S. organization is expected to bring a large support crew to town for the event. Local businesses are invited to take part in the Lake Martin Elite Series Expo, which will showcase lake area communities, products and opportunities, on the last two days of the tournament at WCSP.

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 19

Give Your Heart a Fresh Start The new year is here, so why not make a resolution that gives you and your loved ones peace of mind? We all know that healthy hearts live longer, more active lives. That starts with a comprehensive cardiac checkup. February is American Heart Month, serving as an annual reminder of the fight against cardiovascular disease. Kevin Sublett, MD, and his staff at the UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic of Central Alabama are proud supporters of this fight. We are committed to keeping your heart healthy, so you can live a healthier life all year long. 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 20 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

“We are looking for any and all vendors,” Collari said. “The event is geared toward being a family-friendly event, so we’re specifically targeting crafts, food vendors, kids’ events, anyone with a business locally.” On expo days, WCSP will be open to the public, and half of the expo will feature Bassmaster partners, such as companies that specialize in fishing rods, ATVs, lures, fishfinders, boat motors and more. “Because the Bassmaster Elite Series has their own sponsorships and own partners, we can’t bring anyone in that conflicts with those,” Collari said. “As long as they don’t conflict with those, it’s open to anyone else. We’ll have all kinds of stuff for kids. “The tournament itself just draws so many spectators. You’ll see boats out there trailing fishermen to see how they fish and what they’re using. People also come for the weigh-in, so it’s just a way to capitalize on all that traffic. It’s a good way to get the community involved and draw more traffic and awareness to the event and create exposure.” In addition, volunteers are needed to help local aspects of the event run smoothly. “We will be out there every day to provide anything they need from us in the way of logistics or support, and we could utilize volunteers for some of that,” Collari said. “We need to make sure each angler, each visitor, has a fantastic time here.” Chamber volunteers might help with set up, run errands or provide local knowledge. “This is part of our contract with B.A.S.S., and it’s important that we go above and beyond to fulfill our obligation,” Collari explained. “There are a lot of residual benefits to bringing in this tournament. It gives us nationwide visibility and brings in a lot of tourism. Since it was announced that the Bassmaster Elite Series would begin the 2018 season here, we’ve seen people coming in, and they will keep coming after the tournament is over. People want to fish the same place where the pros fish.” The economic impact of the tournament could exceed $1 million, Collari said. Anglers will launch from Wind Creek State Park at 6:15 a.m. and return for weighin at 2:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. The field includes Lake magazine fishing columnist Greg Vinson, who offers a personal perspective of the event on page 66. The Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin is presented by Econo Lodge and marks the 14th time B.A.S.S. has held a tournament here. To take part in the Lake Martin Elite Series Expo or volunteer on the ground at the tournament, contact the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce at 256-234-3461.

a l a G

Hospital foundation's signature event to honor local oncologist

that she wanted to be The 2018 Russell a nurse. With the help of Medical Foundation the scholarship, she studied nursGala will honor beloved ing at Southern Union State Community Alexander City native Dr. College in Wadley in 1978 and graduated in 1980. John C. Blythe with a formal Following several years as a traveling nurse, she eventuball at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, ally returned home where she has spent most of the last at Willow Point Golf and Country Club. 37 years at Russell Medical. Blythe is recognized as one the leading community “I use my medical education every day in my job, cancer doctors in Alabama. He was the first medical oncologist trained at the University of Alabama Hospital even though I don’t work directly in patient care,” Phillips said. and Clinics and the first medical oncologist to practice Phillips reviews patient records and documentation, in Alexander City. He was Medical Director of the largely for Medicare services, to make Cancer Center at Russell Medical when it sure the records are complete and include opened in 2002. all of the information needed to corAn avid outdoor enthusiast, Blythe is a rectly file claims. She also appeals cases member of Quail Forever and a contributin which insurance coverage has been ing writer for Covey Rise magazine. He denied to assist in the payment of claims. was a founding member of the Alexander Russell Medical Foundation Executive City Chamber Foundation. Blythe and his Director Tammy Jackson said the foundawife, Ruth, are members of Alexander tion has awarded some 120 or more medCity First United Methodist Church and ical scholarships since its establishment, reside at their local farm, The Settlement. and the Dr. John C. Blythe Healthcare Tickets for the gala event are $150 Scholarship will provide another avenue each, and proceeds will help to estabto help keep qualified healthcare profeslish the Dr. John C. Blythe Healthcare sionals in our area. Scholarship, which will be administered The gala will feature entertainment by the foundation. Dr. John C. Blythe in three rooms of Willow Point’s main For more than 30 years, Russell clubhouse with Blue Vardaman and Bobby Medical scholarships have assisted local Boone in the Camellia Room, Tom Gassaway in a high school students in medical education that has helped them to establish lifelong careers, many of which 1920s-styled speakeasy in the Willow Room and First Generation Band in the main ballroom. are spent serving patients in their hometown medical “It is going to be a very classy event,” Jackson said. facilities. “The walls will be draped with sheers with lights behind Faye Phillips, a registered nurse who works in docuthem. It will bring back the era of the formal ball. mentation improvement and audits at Russell Medical, Everyone will be dressed up in gowns and tuxedos. It was one of the first recipients of the scholarship. will be a very special evening.” “If it hadn’t been for the scholarship, I never would For ticket information, contact Jackson at tjackson@ have become a nurse,” Phillips said. “I was one of five russellmedcenter.com or call her at 256-215-7459. Look children, and our parents couldn’t afford to send us to for the February issue of Lake Martin Living magazine college. I couldn’t afford to send myself to school, so I mid-month for more information about this year’s gala couldn’t have gone if I had not gotten the scholarship.” honoree, Dr. John C. Blythe. Phillips said she knew as early as her teenage years FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 21

Pied-billed Grebe Flamingo's cousin is known for its cooing and gobbling NATURE OF THE LAKE BY KENNETH BOONE

Grebes winter in places like Lake Martin where water doesn't freeze over

22 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

Grebes get no respect. First of all, they look a lot like a duck – one of the most popular birds on the planet – but they’re not. You hear “duck, duck, goose” all the time. When was the last time you heard “grebe, grebe, rail?” (If you did hear anybody mention this quiet little bird’s name, it would sound like “greeb,” not “greebee” – the first “e” is long; the second is silent.) Though these little birds look a lot like ducks from a distance, their feet aren’t webbed; they have almost no tail; and they are typically described as “small and stocky with short necks.” Not exactly mallard material. But that’s a look from a distance. Up close, these one-of-a-kind, cute water birds make up for their non-glamorous appearance with aquatic athleticism and impressive adaptability. Of the seven species of grebe in North America, the Pied-billed Grebe is the most common. Pied-billed Grebes live throughout the Americas, from northern Canada to the southern tip of South America – a range that encompasses roughly 21 million square kilometers. As Pied-billed Grebes if that’s not a large are excellent swimmers enough area, one and divers adventurous piedbilled grebe was spotted in the Galapagos Islands, and others have been seen in Hawaii and Europe. They are highly adaptive to different environments, living from sea level to 8,000 feet of elevation in fresh, brackish and sometimes even in salt water. Pied-billed grebes seem to prefer fairly still or slow-moving water where they forage for crayfish and fish and almost anything else they can capture, from insects, frogs and salamanders to shrimp, snails and crabs. Grebes winter in places where the water doesn’t freeze, so central Alabama is a popular winter location in the grebe world. Many pied-billed grebes live as year-round residents here on Lake Martin and our surrounding ponds, while those that visit for the winter migrate back to the cooler climates in summer. They are not particularly afraid of buildings or piers but do tend to shy away from movement, loud noises and human activity. During the summer breeding season, these birds become very secretive. Pied-billed Grebes grow to 15 inches long with

a 2-foot wide wingspan and a maximum weight of 1-1/4 pounds. Both males and females are brown, with lighter underparts and darker brown backs. They have thin necks, especially in comparison with a fairly large round head. The grebe'ss chicken-like bill becomes gray-white with a black band (hence the name pied-bill) during the summer breeding season; the remainder of the year, the bill is more yellowish brown. A vocal bird, Pied-billed Grebes are known for making a number of bizarre calls, which have been described as cooing, whinnying or gobbling or similar to that of the yellow-billed cuckoo. Although it’s hard to believe, recent DNA tests have shown that grebes are probably most closely related to flamingos. Unlike their lanky pink cousins, Pied-billed Grebes are excellent swimmers and divers with at least three physical traits that help them in the water. First, they don’t have webbed feet – instead their toes have paddlelike lobes on either side that act as tiny swim fins. A second swimming aid is the position of their legs way back on the rear of their bodies – the same place boat makers put their engines for the same reason. Finally, Pied-billed Grebes have the ability to capture and hold water in their feathers, which allows them to control their buoyancy to the point where they can sit high on the water like ducks or sink so low that only the top of their heads are above water to hide from predators. Bodies highly adapted for swimming are a disadvantage on land and in air, so grebes – poor fliers and wobbly walkers – spend most of their time in the water. Carl Linnaeus, the father of taxonomy, was highly aware of this in 1758 when he dubbed this bird Podilymbus podiceps, a name derived from the Latin words for “feet at the buttocks” and “diver.” Pied-billed Grebes are also known by a number of other common names including: American dabchick, dabchick, Carolina grebe, water witch, hell diver, devil diver, thick-billed grebe, pied-bill, pied-bill dabchick and dive-dapper. During breeding season, male Pied-billed Grebes will lift their breasts out of the water and jerk their heads in courting displays, or swim very fast just below the surface, leaving a distinctive set of ripples

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 23

pond. Parents can dive and forage with their chicks to impress their potential mates. If they feel threatclamped under their wings, though it’s not uncomened, they will often attack other males and other species of birds by sneaking up on them from under- mon for the babies to work free and pop to the surface. water. Baby Pied-billed Both partners build Grebes don’t look a nest on floating exactly like mom or vegetation along the FUN FACTS dad. Instead of a drab shoreline, usually in n Grebes – including the Pied-billed Grebes – are brown, these baby water deeper than 9 known to eat their own feathers, a practice thought birds wear black and inches, which allows to improve their digestion by protecting from internal white stripes on their for quick underwapuncture wounds caused by fish bones. They also feed faces. ter escapes in case their feathers to their young. The biggest threat the nest is attacked. to Pied-billed Grebes Female Grebes sit on n Pied-billed Grebes have a defense tactic commonly is habitat loss and the their clutches of 2-10 called a “crash dive” where the birds go from swimdraining or developbluish- or greenishming to diving belly-first very quickly with their wings ment of wetlands. white eggs to incuoutstretched and rear-mounted feet kicking so hard Nearby human activbate them for three to that water splashes several feet into the air. ity has been known four weeks. nA group of grebes are known collectively as a to cause Pied-billed During that time, “water dance” of grebes. Grebes to abandon if a mother leaves the their egg-filled nests, nest, she will often and large boat wakes cover the eggs to hide can destroy nests. them from predators. So give Lake Martin’s grebes the respect that they A Grebe can have two or possibly three broods each deserve and please think twice before operating bigyear. wake boats near the back of still-water sloughs. When the chicks hatch, they are initially poor swimmers, and the family abandons the nest the Some information for this article came from day all the chicks hatch. So for the first three weeks Cornell University’s website, AllAboutBirds.com, the of their lives, Pied-billed Grebe chicks climb onto Audubon Society and the U.S. Wildlife Department. the backs of mom or dad and hitch rides around the A Grebe can regulate its buoyancy and water level position by holding water in its feathers

24 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

FROM OUR REAL ESTATE ADVERTISERS

FABULOUS FINDS

Under Contract

Willow Glynn, Riverside Cottage $1,195,000 Move-in-ready RLH Construction & designed by Mitch Ginn, this design offers 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 2 living areas and vaulted ceilings in the kitchen and owner’s suite. Enjoy the spectacular water views from both of the spacious covered porches. Russell Lands On Lake Martin 256.215.7011 www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

South Ridge Estates, Y Knot Looking for the perfect homesite and lake houseplan? Take a look at this stunning design by Bill Farshee. Under construction by Classic Homes, this plan is a unique design that provides lake views from every room. The main living area is surrounded by covered lakeside porches. Two owner’s suites on main level and rec room, bunk loft and two guest suites on upper level. A detached two-car garage with guest suite above completes this plan. Russell Lands On Lake Martin 256.215.7011 www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

South Ridge Harbor, Diamond View $1,650,000 Classic Homes, a division of Russell Lands, has just broken ground on the "Diamond View" in The Ridge. This exciting new lake home design by Larry Furlong has it all: four bedrooms, four full baths, two powder rooms, PLUS two Great Rooms...one on each level. Claim your spot next to the stone fireplace and cozy up to spectacular views of Kowaliga Bay! The open kitchen overlooks the living and dining areas making this home perfect for entertaining family and friends. Call today for more details or to visit this new home project in person! Russell Lands On Lake Martin 256.215.7011 www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

Willow Glynn, The Abby $1,250,000 Just completed by RLH Construction. The Abby is a 3,219 sq. ft. plan designed by Chuck Frusterio. Owner’s suite and guest suites on main level with spacious livingdining-kitchen and large covered porch. Lake level offers two bedrooms, two bathrooms, generous lake-prep room, family room, wet bar, second laundry, and spacious covered patio for outdoor entertaining. Russell Lands On Lake Martin 256.215.7011 www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

1031 Lakeshore Drive, Jacksons Gap • $379,000 Cozy, super cute, lake cabin styled for outdoor fun...sits on deepwater cove that opens to big water. 3BD/2.5BA, split plan w/ spacious master BD/BA, double granite vanity and lg. walk in closet. 2BD/ BA on opposite end. Open kit/din/LR. laminate flooring throughout, 3 sets of french doors on lakeside open to huge deck, perfect for entertaining. Lovely flagstone walkway to dock. Covered boatslip w/ lift and floating dock. Nice landscaping. Everything you need to begin making memories on Lake Martin!! RE/MAX Around the Lake Call Amanda Scroggins 256-749-6634 www.amandascroggins.com

499 Old Still Road, Dadeville • $795,000 REDUCED!! LOVELY- 3-level Bermuda Bluff Cottage design house located in the gated community of The Preserve in Stoney Ridge. Features a 4BD/3.5BA w/wrap-around screened porch and lots of windows to maximize natural light. Custom built cabinetry throughout the home.Gorgeous pine flrs and tongue and groove ceilings. Open floor plan stone fireplace, sound system and central vac. IMMACULATE. RE/MAX Around the Lake Call Amanda Scroggins 256-749-6634 www.amandascroggins.com

697 Win Blu Drive, Dadeville • $229,000 Custom 4BD/2BA log home located within minutes to beautiful Lake Martin... cozy, comfortable with a spacious, well designed open floor plan, including vaulted ceilings of yellow pine in FR and stone FP w/woodburning heater. Lg. master suite w/vaulted ceiling. Master garden tub, separate shower. All BDs have new carpet, freshly painted exterior, new HVAC system, new privacy fence, above ground saltwater pool, outdoor pavillion and pool house w/toilet. 30x30 Shop bldg, 12x24 pool shed, covered porches. Private community boat launch and lake access. Call today to see! RE/MAX Around the Lake Call Samantha Spurlin 256-786-0650 www.samanthaspurlin.com

520 Willow Way West, Alexander City • $1,050,000 Willow Point, Lake Home, gorgeous lake & golf course view...Picture yourself spending time on Lake Martin in this spacious home made for relaxing & entertaining. Walk into a GRAND great room w/hardwood floors & fp, remodeled spacious eat in kitchen w/island bar. Master BR & BA separate from 2 oversized BR w/jack n jill BA on main level. Ready to enjoy the outdoors step out onto your massive covered lakeside porch. Downstairs has a BR, 2 full BA, with an area that can be used as a den/playroom or easily made into a theater room. Basement level has gracious storage w/a one stall garage/boat storage. Large flat lot accommodates a boat ramp RE/MAX Around the Lake Call Samantha Spurlin 256-786-0650 www.samanthaspurlin.com

243 Laurel Ridge, Alexander City • $1,399,000 No need to look any further...as nothing will compare to this custom built home located in the pristine and heavily sought after community of The Ridge! This home offers spacious main floor living with the Master Suite on main and a fireside great room. Entertaining is a breeze with your gourmet eat-in kitchen, an outdoor living room w/ fireplace and spacious decks overlooking the lake. 6BRs/5.5BAs put this home in a class by itself. High quality construction features 2 story ceilings, 9 ft. doors, tons of crown molding and beautiful heart pine flooring. And 3 laundry rooms, home theatre, game room and guest qtrs. only begin to describe this home. You have to see to believe! RE/MAX Around the Lake Call Amanda Scroggins 256-749-6634 www.amandascroggins.com

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 25

Rehearsal Party on the Green

The wedding weekend for Lizzy and Rob Dunavant and their daughter began with a rainbow over the Russell Crossroads Town Green

Guests gather at Friday On the Green for pre-wedding festivities

STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY AUDRA SPEARS & JAMISON SKINNER

When Lizzy Lay married her Auburn University sweetheart Rob Dunavant in an intimate ceremony at Church in the Pines on July 8, the groom’s family took advantage of activities at Russell Crossroads’ Town Green for the post-rehearsal gathering. “We had guests who were just getting into town on Friday evening, and Rob and Lizzy wanted something fun but simple for the after-rehearsal party,” explained the groom’s mother, Amy Dunavant. “Our plan was to go to Catherine’s at 5 p.m. for the wine tasting, have dinner there and go over to The Town Green for the music and lawn games.” Dunavant said she came up with the idea as she glanced through the summer calendar in the May issue of Lake magazine. “I saw the article with the Friday on the Green schedule in that issue, and I realized it would be the perfect thing to do for the rehearsal party,” she said. “We go to Friday on the Green every time we come to the lake. We set up our chairs and play the lawn games with the grandchildren. “For the wedding weekend, our guests arrived into 26 LAKE

town and got settled in their rooms at the Willow Point Villas. Then, they went up to The Town Green to meet the rest of us on their own schedules. It was convenient for them to pick up dinner to enjoy dinner at Catherine’s just across the street and ice cream on the lawn. It was perfect.” “It was a lot of fun, very casual,” the bride said. “I didn’t want a sit-down dinner, and this gave our out-oftown guests a place to gather. The food was great from Catherine’s Market, and the kids especially had a blast playing. Our daughter was about to turn 1 year old, and she had so much fun with the hula-hoops!” Sid Phelps, the performer for the July 7 Friday on the Green event, congratulated the bride and groom from the stage, adding an extra special element to the postrehearsal gathering. Nearly half of the Dunvants’ 150 wedding guests mingled with the regular Friday on the Green crowd, playing lawn games and dodging raindrops before the wet weather moved out of the area in time for the wedding the following day. The lawn games and hula-hoops are available for use

FEBRRUARY 2018

at every free Friday on the Green concert throughout the summer, compliments of Russell Lands On Lake Martin. Though rain greeted the couple the next morning for pictures, the bride and groom chose to follow through with their plans to hold the ceremony in the outdoor chapel at Church in the Pines and the outdoor reception at Willow Point Golf and Country Club. “Our whole reason for being married at Lake Martin was to see the lake and be outside, so we made the call that morning to keep the reception lakeside instead of moving indoors,” Rob said. “The rain was out of the way for the evening wedding and reception. We had a beautiful sunset following the ceremony and an absolutely gorgeous evening for the reception.”

Rob and Lizzy Dunavant shared the special day with daughter Collin Rose

Lawn games were a big hit with the wedding guests' children

Guests at the post-rehearsal party dodged a few raindrops but the weather couldn't dampen spirits for the weekend event

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 27

Share the Gift of Lake Martin

Destination keepsakes introduce guests to the lake

An especially important part of any Lake Martin destination wedding is the goodie bag – a collection of fun surprises that will help out-of-town guests feel at home and enjoy their stay. It’s all the better if the bag and its contents are reusable souvenirs of the event and location. A canvas tote embroidered with a Lake Martin landmark is a great choice. Local business North Lake Crafted offers several options. These hand pressed goods can be replicated A family friend with any landmark, logo or created the goodiedesign on a number of materibag map that als. A bride might also play up provided guidance the wedding theme with a creto out-of-town ative, relative container, such as a guests for wedding picnic basket, galvanized pail or and reception sites antique box. at the Saul wedding Out-of-town guests who are unfamiliar with the lake might appreciate the inclusion of the latest issue of Lake magazine for its calendar guide of things to do at Lake Martin.

28 LAKE

Guests should also receive detailed paperwork, including important times, addresses, dress codes, transportation information and a timeline for wedding events, as well as a wedding contact’s information in case they have questions. Brides could even create a customized map detailing wedding event locations with fun info-graphics. Other points to include might be area landmarks and ‘must sees and dos,’ along with restaurant suggestions. The bride and groom could add a keepsake displaying the memorable date and/or their initials, such as koozies, candy, lip balm, a deck of cards, shot glasses or other customizable mementos. Provide guests with sweet and savory snacks to keep them from raiding the mini bar or going hungry late at night. Locally produced food items might include boiled peanuts from Peanut Point; preserves, syrup or unfiltered honey from New Water Farm; goat milk caramels from Lakeside Mercantile; or Wickles Pickles, a national brand that originated from a local recipe. Alabama Street Maker’s Market, Downtown Girl, Ooh LaLa, Madison House Restoration, Cloud Nine, Mix It Up! and Pearson’s are all area shopping options that offer handmade, local products or unique, small-batch boutique items. In Dadeville, Lakeside Mercantile can provide unique, up-cycled vintage items, along with lake-themed décor and apparel. Lake Martin-themed artwork from The Company Store or Catherine’s Market at Russell Crossroads also could be included. Bridesmaids’ bags could also include certificates for spa services at the recently opened Shay Dean Aesthetics in downtown Alexander City; or guests who have traveled some distance for the occasion might appreciate knowing where to get a relaxing spa day or massage. For summer weddings, water bottles are essential, as are sunblock, bug spray, sunglasses and fans that could help guests to beat the heat. A small emergency kit is both thoughtful and practical to add to the mix. Pain relief tablets, mints, Band-Aids, tissues, stain remover and mini sewing kits are all items that might be needed to battle low-level disasters on the big day. And to thank guests for attending, a short note or handwritten card goes a long way in expressing appreciation and excitement at their sharing the special day with the bride and groom.

Alice and Joe Griffin included plenty of favorite snacks in the goodie bags for their guestsFEBRRUARY 2018

NOW OFFERING

Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

(256) 268-8309

Visit us at customdocksllc.com FEBRUARY 2018

000243317R1

Bobcat Service for all your land clearing or site preparation needs!

LAKE 29

Alice Fisher watches the rain on her wedding day from the deck of her parents' home in The Ridge

30 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

Alice & Joe

Joy shines on a Lake Martin wedding STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY 509 PHOTO

When Alice Fisher was a child, she delighted in teasing her grandmother with promises that she would marry the love of her life on the lawn of the old original Russell cabin where she spent summer weekends. “She would protest, but I insisted,” said Alice Fisher Griffin, who married Joseph Lee Griffin Jr. last October at The Ridge. “Both the cabin and my grandmother are gone, but we were married at my parents’ new Russell cabin at The Ridge. “And it poured,” she added. “All of the other weekends in October, the weather was really nice, but it rained on our weekend. And it was unseasonably cold.” But those unexpected elements prompted the personal touches that made the day extra special. “We all wore vintage furs. I packed my grandmother’s

at the last minute, and when we got there for the wedding, everybody had on their grandmothers’ furs that they never get to wear,” she said. The maid of honor brought hand warmers for the wedding party, and guests wrapped up in a collection of throws to stay warm. Baskets of throw blankets were added to the décor, so guests could wrap up upon arrival. “We had a fire going in the fireplace all day. At the last minute, we added a coffee bar, so we all had hot chocolate and coffee with Kahlua and Bailey’s.” Before the ceremony, Griffin stood on the deck of the lake house – sans fur – her spirits not dampened by the weather. “Do you trust me?” asked her photographer, Caleb Chancey of 509 Photo, who had a brave plan to turn the rain into a unique backdrop the wedding portraits.

The rain stopped just in time for the lakeside ceremony

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 31

“So he took me down to the dock, and it was pouring rain,” the bride said. And as Griffin stood under an umbrella in a lace covered gown with the rain falling all around her, a bouquet of peonies and roses trailing at her side, Chancey captured what the rain couldn’t wash away – the joy of a bride marrying the love of her life on the wedding day she’d dreamed of since childhood. Griffin met Joe through mutual friends. Though both had attended the University of Alabama, Joe had graduated a few years before his bride, so they hadn’t met. They saw each other at football events on occasion after their first meeting but didn’t start dating at first; however, they shared a passion for the Tide. Joe incorporated that football loyalty into the proposal plan he launched two days before Christmas the previous year. “I opened this package that was a ring box, and I thought here I was going to get a proposal. But when I opened the box, there were playoff game tickets in it,” she said. “Then, he gave me this clutch purse, and I kind of said, ‘Oh, that’s nice,’ and I set it aside. But he told me to look in it, and the ring was in the clutch.” The couple chose an October wedding date because fall is one of their favorite times at the lake. “October sunsets at the lake are amazing,” Griffin said. “All I wanted was an October sunset.” And despite the rain, she got it. “We had a tent as a rain plan, but I really didn’t want to get married under the tent. Even though it was raining at noon, we made the call to have the wedding outside. We had it set up in the driveway with an arch of flowers and the lake in the background. Finally, right before I was going to go down the aisle, it just stopped raining, and we had this gorgeous sunset, just like I had wanted,” she said. They held the reception under the tent, and the newlyweds made their getaway in a pontoon boat. They live in Birmingham but visit the lake two or three times a month, rain or shine.

The sunset the couple had hoped for made its appearance at the end of the day

The bridesmaids arrived wearing their grandmothers' furs

The bride's flowers added color and sunshine to the festivities

The life-sized cut-out of Joe accompanied the maids on the bachelorette weekend

32 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

At the end of the day, nothing could dampen the newlyweds' joy

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 33

A Perfect Fall Wedding New Lake Martin residents host wedding in Stillwaters

STORY BY AMY PASSARETTI & PHOTOS BY MEGAN MULLINS

Kathryn and Josh Jordan were married on the anniversary of their first date on a warm, breezy fall day in October 2016 at Church of the Living Waters in Stillwaters. “We always knew we wanted a wedding on the lake. We love being around water, and we wanted our ceremony near water as well. I loved the outdoor church the second I saw it. It was so beautiful on its own; there wasn’t much decorating that even needed to be done,” Kathryn Jordan said. The couple has lived in Stillwaters since 2015 when they moved to the lake from Destin, Florida. When Josh’s uncle, Keith Hiett, bought Stillwaters Golf Course and decided to open a restaurant there, he asked his nephew to come work for him. Josh is currently the head chef at Copper’s Grill, and Jordan bartends there. After seeing the deck and backyard space at Copper’s decorated and strung up with lights for a prom, Jordan said she could envision that as the perfect spot for her wedJosh Jordan ding. steals a kiss “I just thought it from his bride would be beautiful for a following their reception, especially with ceremony at all the greenery in the Church of the background with the golf Living Waters course,” she said. Jordan chose the warm color of orange for her bridesmaids’ dresses, with some reds and yellows for her wedding décor and bouquet – except for the one detail she always knew she wanted. “Ever since I saw the wedding episode on Friends, I knew I wanted simple bouquets for my bridesmaids. Calla Lilies are my favorite flowers, and it was the perfect choice for them to carry,” said the bride. Jordan and her three bridesmaids prepared for the big day in the Golf Colony condos. The groomsmen stayed at the Courtside condos for the week, which is where they all gathered before the ceremony. “The biggest thing for me is that I did not want Josh to see me beforehand. Josh said he was so nervous when I finally came down the aisle he could barely look at me,” she said. The nearly 120 guests feasted on prime rib, chicken cordon

bleu, broccoli and chicken spring rolls, roasted potatoes and asparagus – a menu completely designed by Josh, cooked on site and served buffet style. Working at Copper’s introduced the couple to many people in the lake community, including Sid Phelps, the musician that played at their reception. “Sid and his band had never played our first dance song before, Michael Buble’s Feeling Good, but he practiced and made it his own version, and it was wonderful. He played a little bit of everything for the guests as well,” said Jordan. Her favorite part was the party that followed, with the whole crowd enjoying a DJ and a dance party. “We really know how to throw a party. We had a blast, and I saw people dancing that I have never seen dance before. They went to town,” she said. The most sentimental detail of the wedding, according to Jordan, was the homemade, customdesigned wedding cake created by her mother and grandmother. The threetiered, intricately detailed cake was an important part of the day. The couple had attended the same high school in Hiram, Georgia, and spent time together when both were members of the marching band there. Although they had similar friends and dated briefly, it wasn’t until they ran into each other at Jacksonville State University that their love story truly began. Fate seemed to bring them back together. The pair dated for about five years before Josh proposed on a Caribbean cruise they were attending with his family. “We were on a balcony with the most gorgeous backdrop. It was blue as far as the eye can see – blue skies, blue water; it was the perfect setting. It was sweet and simple, just like us,” Jordan said.

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 34

Clockwise from top left:The couple held their reception at Copper's Grill; Kathryn's mother and grandmother handmade and decorated the wedding cake; Kathryn and Josh Jordan were married at Church of the Living Waters, which was so beautiful on its own that it did not need much decoration; Jordan chose warm, fall colors of orange with red and yellow accents for her bouquet and décor; Sid Phelps and his band met the couple while they were all working at Copper's Grill, and the band played for the Jordans' reception.

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 35

Experience the Wedding of Your Dreams!

Debbie White (334) 221-2345 | 641 Ross Road, Camp Hill, Al 36850 | whiteacresfarms.com 36 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

Lost and Found Towboat captain dives for a wedding ring

STORY BY JUDITH HILL & PHOTO COURTESY OF SUZANNE HUNTER

It was the perfect July weekend to do nothing else but be around a big body of water with great friends. Husband and wife James and Suzanne Hunter packed up their car and did just that after receiving an invitation to vacation at a family friend’s home on Lake Martin. The couple headed to the lake to spend their long, summer weekend grilling out, hanging out and just doing all things that make Lake Martin life so magical. The Hunters had spent time on Lake Martin on and off for about eight years. They both graduated from Auburn University and now call the Plains home. Though both of them are from the same small town, they didn’t connect until college at AU. There, the two fell in love and were married May 30, 2015. Their weekend getaway started out like most weekends at Lake Martin. The crew hung out on the dock, enjoying the sunshine and slow-paced ease of summer. Suzanne Hunter went inside to make lunch while James and the others took the boat out to water ski. What she found when she returned to the dock was not the jolly group she was with just an hour before. “When I came back to the dock, everyone was just sitting quietly not saying anything. That’s when James told me what had happened,” Hunter said. James explained that he had lost his wedding band in the water. He noticed it was missing as he grabbed the ski rope behind the boat and felt strongly that he had lost it while suiting up to ski. With a little help from the greasy sunscreen, he figured, the ring must have slipped right off. But hopefully, it was close to the dock, he added quickly.

“I knew it was gone,” Hunter said, “but James was determined to find it.” James suited up once more, but this time it was snorkeling gear he put on in hopes of finding his ring. Dive after dive, he searched, but to no avail. James’ amateur snorkeling skills and gear were no match for the monumental task. He decided his best chance of Susan and finding the band was to seek James Hunter the help of a professional on their 2015 diver. wedding day “Someone I was friends with gave us the contact of the scuba diving company and said they could be there in a couple hours,” said James’ bride. “In the meantime, we tried our best not to disturb that area.” A few hours after receiving the call, Jackson Dozier arrived from TowBoatUS. Dozier suited up for one last attempt at finding James’ precious ring. He came up just six minutes after going down. “He came up holding the ring like a trophy!” Hunter exclaimed. “Everyone was so amazed and got in on the excitement. The feeling was pure joy.” Mission accomplished. The heroic diver even found a pair of the lake home owner’s prescription glasses that had been lost months before. “He was super nice, and the money spent for him to find James’ wedding band was well worth it,” Hunter said. Though they have not been back to Lake Martin since the lost-and-found ring trip, the Hunters plan to return this summer and make the trip an annual vacation.

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 37

Sentimental Sunset Proposal

STORY BY JUDITH HILL & PHOTOS BY HARRISON TAYLOR

Although she had a suspicion of when the proposal Hannah Moss’s grandparents have owned a home on was going to happen, Johnson still kept her on her toes. Lake Martin for as long as she can remember. She and her family have spent countless days year-round enjoy- He planned a lake weekend with Moss’ family at her grandparents’ lake house that July. ing the company of each other and friends. “He told me we were all going to the lake, and we “My favorite place in the world is at my grandparwere going to meet everyone at SpringHouse,” Moss ents’ lake house at sunset,” Moss said. recalled. That special spot now holds even more meaning for But instead of a trip to their favorite restaurant, the soon-to-be Mrs. Chris Johnson. Moss caught Chris’ eye at a mutual friend’s birthday Johnson bypassed SpringHouse and took Moss to her grandparents’ Windermere dock party in June 2015. at sunset. “Chris just walked up to me “He walked us down by the and told me I was really pretty,” water, and there was a table gushed Moss. “I don’t think we with a beautiful tablecloth and even spoke the rest of the evea Bible with our names on it ning at dinner!” and a ring box,” Moss said. “He It wasn’t until later that fall then prayed over us and our that the two really hit it off at future.” Moss’ sorority date function. After Johnson knelt on one “I didn’t know who to ask. It knee and popped the question, was between some random fraMoss said yes to the man of her ternity guy or the guy I barely dreams and will become the knew that told me I was pretty Mrs. this summer. the summer before,” she said. During the proposal, Johnson Moss went with the bold told Moss that he had rememmove and asked Johnson. The bered her saying years before pair continued talking after their that this spot on Lake Martin first date and never parted ways was her favorite place in the from that day forward. world. Now, this place on the Moss and Johnson officially lake will forever hold an even starting dating later that fall more special meaning to the and continued their relationship couple. on the Plains until he graduMoss said some of her favorated in May 2016 with plans to Instead of dinner at her favorite ite memories with Johnson at attend medical school. After a restaurant, Moss got a proposal Lake Martin – other than the long summer of patience and at her grandparents' lake house proposal, of course – include praying, Johnson was accepted fun times with family on the to the medical program at water, holidays at the lake and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Moss, being a year younger than Johnson, going to SpringHouse Restaurant. “We love our memories at SpringHouse! We love remained in Auburn to pursue her doctorate in audiolgetting all dressed up, taking photos there and going for ogy. dinner after Auburn games,” said Moss. After two years of long-distance dating, talk of the She loves the restaurant so much that she plans to future began to come up between the two. celebrate her bachelorette weekend with there friends “We had definitely talked about getting married, and this year before the big day. because of our school schedules, we narrowed it down to a specific time,” Moss said.

38 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

Winter Clearance 40-60% off

RS OTS & PLANTE

20-30% off

FURNITURE

GAS FIREPITS

5% SALES TAX STOREWIDE

Free Gift, Set-up & Delivery on Big Green Egg Purchase

Wed. - Fri. 10-5 • Sat. 9-4 • Sun. 1-5

7995 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 • 334.857.3900 www.LakeMartinMiniMall.com

DEEP WATER DOCK SERVICES, LLC – Licensed and Bonded

Servicing All Of Your Lake Needs • Boat Lift

• Entire Dock Systems

• Seawall

Pile Driving Ser vices For Home Owners and Contractors Only Approved Automatic Boat Cover On Lake Martin With No Overhead Structure

T H E F I R S T B O AT C O V E R Y O U W I L L LO V E T O U S E !

10116 COUNT Y RD. 34 • DADEVILLE, AL For more photos please visit – http://DeepWaterDockCo.com Donald@DeepWaterDockCo.com

OFFICE: Donald:

FEBRUARY 2018

Moss shows off her new ring for 256.373.3220 family and friends who gathered

watch the proposal 334.850.6577 Josh: to256.794.0512

LAKE 39

Dreams Come True

STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY BRADLEY BURCKEL PHOTOGRAPHY

Newlyweds Hayes and Matt Saul enjoyed a few minutes to themselves on the way to the reception at Willow Point

Lake Martin holds in her heart not only the best of summer memories but also the most heartfelt dreams. For the bride who calls it home, the lake holds dreams come true, like that of Hayes Holliday Saul, who – with airy elegance, simplicity and great personal style – came home to Lake Martin last June to wed Matt Saul, the love of her life, at Church in the Pines. The bride and groom met at a CrossFit gym in Fresno, California, where the new Mrs. Saul had moved for a three-month assignment as a traveling nurse. “It was kind of like third grade. My friend told his friend that I liked Matt, and his friend told me that Matt thought I was cute and arranged for us to hang out,” Saul said. Saul said she’d seen Matt around the gym several times but hadn’t spoken before the two found themselves in the same class one day. “We were running, and I was wearing a pair of shoes that had the American flag on them, and he told me he liked my shoes. I said, ‘Thanks!’ but then we didn’t know what to say to each other, so it was kind of awkward. Later on in the class, every time I looked at him, he was looking at me, and it just had that sort of grade-school weirdness about it,” she laughed. On her first travel assignment as a nurse, Saul said, she wasn’t looking for a relationship, but an Instagram invite from Matt’s friend led to a casual gathering one evening in which Saul and Matt got to know each other a little better. “The next day, he brought me Starbucks, and he asked me to dinner. I almost said no, just because I didn’t want to get into a relationship at that point in my life. But I told myself, ‘Hey, it’s just dinner. You don’t have to marry him if you don’t want to,’” she said. Dinner turned out to be burgers, but Saul said it was perfect. “It was so easy to sit there and have a burger with a stranger. Just simple burgers, but I could really be myself with him. The next night

when I got off work, he left flowers on my doorstep, and that was it,” she said. “That’s when I fell for him.” The relationship was well established when she left Fresno for a new six-month assignment in San Diego, but the two weathered the distance between them well. Once Matt met her parents, Roger and Cindy Holliday, the future was sure. “That’s when I pretty much knew I was going to marry him,” Saul said. She returned to Fresno when the San Diego tour concluded, and after another six-month assignment there, she took a permanent position. The proposal came at a pool party with friends over Memorial Day weekend. “I remember that I woke up that morning and thought, ‘I wonder if he’s going to propose today,’ but I really didn’t want to think about it. I just figured it would happen when it happened, and I didn’t want to dwell on it. But I did wonder why my friend was following me around all day with her video camera in my face,” she said. Matt popped the question during a pool game when Matt arranged for Saul to retrieve a toy that cradled her diamond. When he knelt on bended knee and asked for her hand, the answer was easy. Saul called home and asked her father to put her name on the calendar for Church in the Pines. The venue had been decided nearly 10 years before the couple met. “When I was in high school at Benjamin Russell, I always told my dad I wanted to be married outside, and he would say, ‘No, you are going to be married in the church.’ When I was in college, we decided that Church in the Pines was a good compromise,” Saul said. For this most important occasion, the bride paired lavender with a subtle silver gray to complement her wedding décor. “It was light enough that it was not too much to look at, just a nice soft summer color. It’s always been one of my favorites,” she said. Prior to the nuptials, the couple

Hayes Holliday pauses for a portrait on her way to the First Look

42 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

Clockwise from top left: The bridal party included family and friends; Lake Martin provided a spectacular backdrop for the soft summer wedding; the groomsmen's socks recalled the first words the bride and groom said to each other; the lakeside reception was held under the tent at the Willow Point Cabana; wedding guests celebrate the joyous occasion.

shared a First Look on the dock at the Lodge at Cocktail Slough. “I was really nervous when I was coming down the steps, and he was waiting on the dock with his back to me. But when I got down there with him and he turned around, all the nerves went away,” Saul said. A bus provided transportation for the entire bridal party from their getting ready in separate quarters at the Lodge to the outdoor chapel on the lake and from the ceremony site to the reception at Willow Point Golf and Country Club. “We stopped at the main clubhouse and took some pictures on the golf course,” Saul said. While the bridesmaids wore simple silvery lavender gowns that draped lightly in the breeze, the groomsmen’s attire recalled the couple’s first conversation: The guys wore American flag socks. A custom tent on the lawn at the Willow Point Cabana protected the celebration from the warm afternoon sun as the Club rolled out its best for the beloved daughter of Russell Lands’ vice president. The tables were set with white cloths and topped with bouquets of summer blooms from Grace’s Flowers in Alexander City.

The decision to be married at Church in the Pines had been made 10 years before Hayes Holliday met her groom

The buffet feast under the Cabana included boiled shrimp, watermelon salad with red curry lime vinaigrette and mint, pork belly and scallop skewers, crispy crab cakes with remoulade sauce and a chocolate groom’s cake heaped with dipped strawberries. The wedding cake of four tiers with its crown of perfect roses drew attention under the breezeway with the sparkling Lake Martin as a backdrop. And among beloved friends and family, enveloped in the soft elegance of a Lake Martin summer’s eve, the band played and guests danced until dark. After the event, Mr. and Mrs. Matt Saul returned to Fresno, their new home, where he manages an urgent healthcare facility, and she works as a nurse. Both are back in school, working toward additional degrees – nurse practitioner certification for her and a second bachelor’s in public health administration for him. And the familiar places at the lake where Saul grew up and dreamed of her wedding – Cocktail Slough, Church in the Pines, Willow Point – now hold memories of that elegant, soft summer when she wed the love of her life. Father of the bride Roger Holliday salutes his daughter at his First Look

Forever Style STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

A cabinet with multi-colored drawers fits easily into the open, handicapped-accessible floor plan of the Limericks' Blue Creek home

46 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 47

Salvaged woods were used for the walls, ceiling, doors and some of the furnishings in the screened porch

When Freida and Stan Limerick began work on their Lake Martin home in 2012, they did so with the future in mind. They started with a Donald A. Gardner Freida and architectural plan, to which they Stan Limerick made changes that suited their look forward fondness for family and their to full-time penchant for style and doing the life at the lake finish work themselves. They engaged a builder for the main floor and a downstairs bathroom; and when the builder was finished, they added the finishes they loved during weekend trips over the next five years. Last summer, they made the move to full-time living in the midst of décor that celebrates the memories they cherish but leaves open the options to create new ones at the lake. Their design highlights an extensive collection of reclaimed woods, furniture, artwork, antiques and favorite stuff in a handicapped accessible layout that, according to their plan, could seamlessly transition into retirement comfort in even their very late years. They salvaged many of the woods and furnishings from an old fam-

48 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

ily home and picked up others in the places they’ve lived and visited in their 17 years of marriage. The organic accommodations in 5,000 square feet of living space include smooth thresholds, large walk-in showers in the master suite and and 36-inch doors with open passages throughout the home. Right down to the faucets and flooring treatments, no changes would be needed on the main living floor if a wheelchair were needed long- or shortterm. By planning their finishes around the possibility of future needs, instead of treating those possible requirements as afterthoughts, the couple created a true forever home at the lake. They chose a gently sloping lot on the south side of Lake Martin’s Blue Creek and even adapted the landscaping to accommodate any physical restrictions in the future. LED lights along a grassy walkway lead to a lakeside entertainment area that includes a fire pit, an outdoor shower and an outdoor movie screen.

Honed and leathered kitchen countertops include dropdown electrical outlets

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 49

The laundry room doubles as a sewing room

Guestroom decor centers around childhood memorabilia

The rec room bar is modeled after a Cajun river boathouse

The stairwell bookcase is one of the grandchildren's favorite places in the house

The design includes lots of windows for lake viewing

Though large at 5,000 square feet, the Limericks' home includes cozy spaces

50 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

Peace prevails in the master suite

The home’s exterior treatment blends into the surrounding landscape with darkly stained railings, posts and trims. The lake side of the house features many large glass windows to afford expansive views from almost every room of the home. Inside, Limerick’s décor does eclectic style and character with class. To help her coordinate the variety of materials, furnishings, artwork and delightful chachkies into the cohesive throwback style they love, Limerick consulted Lake Martin interior designer Phil Spraggins. “Freida spent hours looking through magazines and saving pages of what she liked, and she kept a sketch book. That really made it so easy to put everything together,” Spraggins said. From ceiling treatments to walls, floors and even some of the furniture, many finish woods were salvaged from a New Site home that once belonged to Limerick’s grandmother, including the walls in the screened porch, the kitchen and dining tables, laundry room shelving, a hallway coat rack and mirror frames. Cypress wood milled in Maringouin, Louisiana, was used to create a stairwell bookcase that is one of the grandchildren’s favorite haunts at the lake house. “We had to add this little landing to make the stairs fit, and that left a space that was just wide enough for a bookcase,” Limerick explained. “It’s one of the grandkids’ favorite spots. They sit on the stairs and read books.” They laid a piece of glass on an aged door from

the old New Site homestead to make a table in front of a lakeview window, creating surface space for the grandchildren’s crafting and art activities. Tin insets in the guest bathroom also were salvaged from Limerick’s grandmother’s house, as well as corrugated sheets of metal on the ceiling of a ground floor hallway. Simply laid in place on a dropped-ceiling frame, the corrugated sheets on the ceiling disguise easy access to a network of wiring that connects an elaborate electrical system throughout the household. A technology executive whose work has taken him all over the world, Stan installed ahead-of-the-art technology in his lake home and located the command center in the ground floor utility room, which also accesses the home’s reinforced concrete storm room. “We’ve lived in a lot of homes. This one includes everything we ever wanted in a house,” Limerick said. That means more than 20,000 feet of low voltage wire, a whole house water filtration system, two laundry rooms – one of which doubles as a sewing room – a large pantry with pullout wire drawers and a catch-all off-the-kitchen space with chalkboard walls to help organize the days. The home also includes a sweep-in vacuum system throughout, eliminating the need for dustpans. On the ground floor, every room has a theme that is based on some aspect of the Limericks’ family life or favorite places. The Texas room was named by the grandchildren FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 51

Chairs of similar style in mismatched upholstery surround a handmade dining table

A fishing boat and dock create a whimsical ceiling decoration

and includes a cowhide rug on the floor, a longhorn skull above the bed and barn shutters on the paneless windows. Ropes and a cowboy hat on the wall complete the theme, and a quilt that was hand-pieced by a favorite aunt is spread on the bed. Another guest room features New Orleans, where the Limericks lived for four years. They added a transom to the red shuttered closet doors and incorporated into the room a mantle they had carried from home to home for years. Limerick laid the brick hearth herself, and the couple added corner space in the wall to backlight the mantle’s custom-designed cut glass artwork. The en suite bath mirrors the New Orleans décor. They also added an eclectic Cajun vibe to the ground floor rec room. They wrapped 5-gallon buckets in rope to fashion footstools in a room adorned with a fishing boat – and the dock – on the ceiling. The oars are mounted nearby on a shiplap wall dotted with fishing poles, baskets, photos and more. The bar recalls a Cajun river boathouse constructed of junk lumbers and reclaimed oak beams. A natural curve in the fluid live-edge cedar plank bar provides the perfect siting for the bar sink. Stan made a wine and glass rack of copper conduit, which adds just the right touch of authenticity to the bar. Another downstairs bath has been dubbed the ‘Russell Bathroom,’ a nod to the mill source for some of the woods used in the finish décor and the Russell Mills artwork on the walls. Old spools top an 52 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

up-cycled towel rack, and industrial lighting finishes the look. The vanity is handmade from pine flooring and was quite the challenge for Stan to build, as it includes cubbies for reed basket trays of towels and bath supplies, as well as bead trim. It also accommodates the plumbing for the cast stone double sinks and flat iron faucet fixtures. “That vanity includes more cuss words per square inch than anything else in the house,” Stan admitted with a chuckle. Around the corner from the ground floor bedrooms, the couple located the absolutely necessary lake space, an enlarged hall that includes hooks, bags, bins and shelves for towels, visors and flip flops, as well as in-and-out temporary storage of lake toys. Upstairs on the entry level, the kitchen includes honed and leathered countertops with dropdown electrical outlets and Shaker cabinets. Above the stovetop, they placed a piece of stained glass that was reclaimed from an old mantle. Among the stainless appliances, they included a drawer microwave and also added a slow-cooker drawer under the double ovens. In the dining area, Limerick upholstered an assortment of similarly styled high-back chairs in a variety of fabrics to carry character and an eclectic touch into the classic Lake Martin home design. It’s a technique she used throughout the house to showcase a collection that includes plow blades, meat grinders, washboards, antique toys, old suitcases and

The masterbath includes wheelchair-accessible double showers and a television mirror

fishing gear. Such treatment might be most true in a guestroom on the entry level. Placed strategically close enough to the master to double as a caregiver’s room in the future but far enough away to afford privacy now, the guest room serves as the Limericks’ Memory Room. The tin-lined ceiling vault features material from grandmother’s old barn roof, and the bedside table is a piece that Limerick and her father found at a furniture sale. “It was schoolhouse green, and my dad and I stripped and refinished it,” she said. Stan’s baby quilt is framed on the wall, and his grandmother’s violin sits waiting to be played. His mother’s beloved piece of art, along with the flag that had draped the coffin of his father, who served in World War II, are honored in this room as well. But in the master suite, it is an atmosphere of peace that prevails. The bedroom features a ceiling coffered in cypress with custom milled trim. The soothing gray and white linens and furnishings are dressed up with black and white art and red

accents, and while the draperies instantly darken the room, behind them waits a breathtaking view of Lake Martin’s diamond-studded Blue Creek. The Limericks’ en suite spa bath includes a wheelchair accessible double shower with no threshold or doors with which to struggle in the future. Glass half-walls in the shower allow them to view the morning news on a television mirror above the built-in vanity. The vanity also includes a center bureau, which separates the sinks, and a makeup vanity at the far end. But alas, the Limericks’ forever lake retreat is not yet finished. Stan’s home office has barely been decorated at this point. The Limericks plan to include memorabilia from their travels, as well as a twin-sized sofa bed to expand sleeping space in a pinch. Also still to be completed is a bunkroom that will sleep eight, an outdoor kitchen and a downstairs patio. But new projects don’t faze the energetic and enthusiastic Limericks. They appreciate the opportunity to continue doing the design and creative woodworking they love in their forever home at the lake. FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 53

54 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

Lake Q&A:

Where did you move here from? And how did that area compare with Lake Martin?

Mark Ward

We have a home in Senoia, Georgia, but always wanted a lake home for weekends and vacations. My family spent summers on Posey Lake in Michigan, and I was hoping to create that same experience for my children and grandchildren. Posey Lake was an all-sport lake, but only useable Memorial Day to Labor Day. We started looking for a lake house four years ago, and Lake Martin was the first lake I saw that I felt would be perfect for us.

How did you first hear about Lake Martin and what did you find of interest?

Some friends told us to look at Lake Martin. I liked the types of houses and boathouses on this lake compared to other lakes. I also liked the fact that you can have a lawn that leads down to the water.

What was your first impression of the lake and was it different than you expected?

My first impression was – this is it! The one thing that surprised me is that you can use the lake for most of the year. Our first year on Lake Martin, I put my boat in the water in early March, and I didn’t put it away until early November. That’s just amazing. More people should take advantage of that. To me, it’s extra special, since I grew up on a lake that could only be used during the summer months.

Where do you live on the lake, and why did you choose that location?

PHOTO BY DAVID LEIVA, COURTESY OF INFINA

For our first three years, we lived at Stoneview Summit condominiums in Stillwaters. I wanted to purchase a house, but when my wife saw the condo, she liked that fact that we had no exterior upkeep. Another plus was the condo was fully furnished when we purchased it. It was a good starter property for us. I was then elected to be the president of the HOA. Afterward, I learned more than I wanted to know and decided it was time to find a house. We looked at several, but most in our price range were going to take some work. We decided we wanted to build, based on our friends’ experience. Our realtor helped us find a lot and a builder, and nine months later, we moved into our lake home in Shady Bay. We love the location, and we shorten our travel time to/from Georgia by 15 minutes.

You seem to have a very interesting job – tell us a little about what you do now and what it is you used to do.

Today, I am a program manager with a small woman-owned business called Infina. We have a contract with the Federal Aviation Administration to support air traffic safety. Our biggest work is video, audio and graphic production. I retired three years ago as the director for the Eastern Service Center of the Air Traffic Organization within the FAA, where I was responsible for about 300 people that provide staff support for air traffic control from Maine to Puerto Rico.

You were working for the FAA during 9/11. What were your responsibilities? How did your job change as a result?

During 9/11, I was the manager of Tactical Operations for the Southeastern U.S., which basically meant I was responsible FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 55

for the day-to-day tactical movement of airplanes. If there was bad weather or a constraint within the system, it was my job to help resolve it, or work with the facilities to help resolve or reduce the impact. When 9/11 happened, a peer of mine grounded all airplanes when he saw what was happening. He was in a position called a NOM, National Operations Manager. Once the planes were grounded, we immediately started working on how and who to let back in the air. We had Lifeguard flights and emergency flights, so the FAA had to determine which flights should be allowed to take place. We spent the next month working that issue on a day-to-day, hour-to-hour basis. It was constantly changing. There is a telephone call (telcon) that started that day and has never hung up. My job changed forever. Security took a huge role in the movement of airplanes. It used to be safety and efficiency. Now it’s safety, efficiency and security; allowing a flight to move about now has a third requirement.

What was one thing you learned from your experience?

We learned, first of all, we can shut down U.S. airspace entirely if need be, and secondly, we can bring it back up and control who can and should be flying in the airspace.

What do you enjoy most about your job, and what is the most challenging?

Because of my pilot license and ratings, along with my air traffic background, I have the opportunity to be in a lot of videos and training products we do for the FAA. I recently went to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for Air Venture 2017. It’s the biggest airshow in the world. I spoke to the National Association of Flight Instructors, of which I am a lifetime member. The most challenging part of my job is the actual management of the contract.

If you were going to write a book, what would it be about?

I actually have had a couple of ideas in mind. My first one would be about the back-stories of what goes on inside the FAA – some funny and interesting tales. It would be called As The Radar Turns. My second book would be called Dating in your 50s. It would be about some of the funny things that I experienced while dating in my 50s. I met Roxann on Match. com, and we have been married for seven years now; however, before I found her, I had some unusual dates. When I share the stories with others, they always say, “You need to write a book.” And I do, before I forget.

What are you interested in seeing or doing most at the lake?

I have driven probably 90 percent of the lake, so there are still some places to see. I love coving. We like finding a secluded cove somewhere and just throwing out an anchor and staying there for hours. I saw a new name for this in Lake magazine recently called “flinking,” which means: floating and drinking. So, whether I’m on a noodle or a saddle makes no difference, I just like being in the water with a drink in my hand. It doesn’t have to be alcohol. It’s more about the relaxation. 56 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

Our Thanks to Recent Donors Teacher's Helper Greg & Kim Shelton

Trail Blazers

Berry & Natalie Nall Fred Warsham Mark Wilkinson Bill Colley Joe & Angela Holloman

Summit Toppers John B. Scott

Visionaries

Dr. Rex & Vickie Bushong

Help tell our county's story CRATA 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________________________________________________ Email_________________________________________________

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.

Teachers' Helper Trail Blazers Vista Viewers Summit Toppers Visionaries Legacy Sponsors

Up to $99 $100-$249 $250-499 $500-$999 $1,000 or more $5,000 or more

Amount enclosed $_____________________

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 57

All About the Results Lake Martin posts a winning sales year for waterfront homes despite the seller's market

cator of market trends here at Lake Martin. oesn’t it shock you when the best just The first one I show is 2005. Remember keeps on getting better? 2005? Oh boy. It was rolling, baby. Everyone Don’t you feel like an old timer when agrees that the pre-bubble busting year of 2005 you find yourself saying, “Well, you kids just was stupendous. I also still hear a lot of people don’t understand how it used to be. This streak say, “The market will never come back from we are living through right now, it’s unprecthat. Sales were too high, property was overvaledented. You just don’t appreciate it.” ued. It will never be like that again.” Huh? What I sure do. are you talking about? 2005 saw 284 waterfront No, I am not talking about Alabama football. homes sold. In 2017, about 28 percent more If that is your flavor, you will have to read Luke LAKE PROPERTY homes were sold than in 2005. It is not even Robinson’s page in Lake Martin Living magaBY JOHN COLEY close. zine for a monthly ode to all things crimson. Another period I chose for comparison is the “Year That This humble column is focused on real estate. Specifically, waterfront real estate sales around Lake Martin. In late 2017, Must Not Be Named.” We had a drought the year before that kicked Lake Martin into the real estate slump. It was a cheap after reviewing the momentum, I wondered if this would be shot. We didn’t need that. But it happened. Only 137 watera winning year, and now we have the proof. The confetti has front homes were sold all year, and to add insult to injury, been thrown, cleaned up and even found in our hair three inventory was sky high. After the so-called selling season days later. Bubbly? Well, it has been mostly spilled, but a was over, in December of that year there were 461 homes little has been drunk. Everyone has mouthed the annual lie still on the market. It was brutal. A lot of good, smart, hard of, “Wow, this champagne tastes great!” working people were leveled by that turn of the market. I do My point is, it’s over. 2017 is the new Lake Martin waterfront home sales cham- not make light of this. It was tough, and the lessons learned then still (should) reverberate with all involved. pion! After the slump, the Lake Martin real estate market The thing is, it wasn’t even close. Please take a look at a tracked with the rest of the country. There was steady chart that I made to illustrate the point. I tried to pluck out improvement, year by year, that gave an increasing amount some various years for reference. of confidence that the Before I get going worst was behind us. on these, you should In fact, Lake Martin know my source. waterfront home sales Unlike football, went on a seven-year there is no mysterirun of beating the ous committee that prior year’s sales, and chooses the finalthat, by my book, is ists. Real estate is pretty much the defiabout results. The nition of an improving most accurate reposimarket. tory of realty results This upward trais the Lake Martin jectory’s peak was Multiple Listings in 2015, when 351 Service (MLS). These waterfront homes figures are made up were sold and a record of the sales by every number of lots were agent in the area, sold. Also, as you can every brokerage. It see, inventory was does not include priback down to pre-bubvate sales, like when a ble levels. 2015 was developer sells directso good, in fact, that I ly to a consumer. But, dubbed it, “The Best I think it’s extremely Year Ever.” reliable and, over The next year of time, a consistent indi58 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

2016 recorded 303 home sales. I will admit, a part of me wondered, “are we heading back down?” A closer look revealed that the difference was that of inventory. There simply were not the same number of homes available for sale, and this contributed to fewer sales. A loss, however, is a loss, no matter how you shake it. Then comes 2017. This past year the Lake Martin market set another sales record with 363 waterfront homes sold. This figure is about 3 percent better than 2015. That’s impressive, but even more remarkable when you consider that for most of 2017 we were operating with about 14 percent fewer homes for sale. There were only 150 homes for sale at the end of 2017 as compared to 171 at the end of 2015. Imagine that – 3 percent more performance with 14 percent fewer resources. So was 2017 the best year ever for Lake Martin real estate? I don’t think so. Waterfront lot sales were down. This past year, 60 lots sold as compared to 76 in 2016, so it is hard for me to ignore that fact. I will say that the lots category is experiencing an extreme lack of inventory. It is hard to sell apples when there are none left in the cart. Let’s not lose focus on the big picture. It has been truly amazing that Lake Martin continues to sizzle along in a seller’s market. This long streak of setting new records is incredible, especially when you consider that the market is being handicapped with low inventory. You kids just can’t appreciate this! John Coley is a broker and owner of Lake Martin Voice Realty. Visit his blog at LakeMartinVoice.com.

199* MONTH

NO MONey dOwN! Tractors starting at 22HP up to 100 HP *Emax 22 at 84 Months with 3.99%, Plus tax, WAC.

159* MONTH

NO MONey dOwN!

*750B at 84 Months with 3.99%, Plus tax, WAC.

(256) 392-3613 • 1551 Hwy. 280 • Alexander City, AL Located next to Tallapoosa Ford on Highway 280

WWW.LAKEMARTINTRACTOR.COM FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 59

Spot Tail

COTTAGE LIVING ON LAKE MARTIN LOCATED ON A PRIVATE PENINSULA CEDAR POINT OFFERS COTTAGE DESIGNS ON INCREDIBLE WATERFRONT LOTS WITH SPECTACULAR VIEWS

May Fly

Shell Cracker

Mallard

CONTACT DAMON STORY

205–789–9526 CEDARPOINTLAKEMARTIN.COM

60 LAKE

DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY! FEBRRUARY 2018

John Thompson's great big smile LMRA president applauds success of Treasured Mile program

am very happy to report that the LMRA Treasured Mile program introduced in October 2016 has proven to be very successful. All of the 28 islands owned by Alabama Power Company have been adopted, as have 35 of the 78 segments of shoreline in the program. Even with reports of increased boating activity over the summer, LMRA there have been very few reports of BY JOHN THOMPSON littered beaches. Volunteers cleaned those that were reported within a few days. This is the way it should work. We would hope to someday see an end to criminal littering, but until then, we need these good volunteers to continue working together in the effort to keep Lake Martin shorelines litter free year-round. I have received many reports from Treasured Mile adopters, along with pictures of shorelines before and after cleanups. The Mask family turned out all ages to clean the beaches around Goat Island. John and Deb Owen spent several days walking the shoreline on Young Island and removed numerous bags of trash. Billy and Mollie Barrett have the distinction of adopting an island and a large shoreline segment under the name of The Lake Martin National Shuffleboard Club, and they have done a great job of keeping these areas clean. The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce team of Ed Collari, Jacob Meacham, Kim Dunn and Carla Culligan closed the chamber doors one day, packed a picnic lunch and spent a day cleaning their adopted island near DARE Park. It was a great way to build teamwork. Michael Langston adopted an island in the Blue Creek area and involves his entire Lake Martin Experience team in regular clean-ups. The Dixie Sailing Club responded to a fire that was started by a careless group attempting to burn a pile of trash in a portion of its adopted area. Club members were able to extinguish the fire and later assembled a team of young sailors to clean up the mess. The burning of aluminum cans, plastic and glass bottles, along with Styrofoam, is the absolute worst way to dispose of trash. The last islands to be adopted as part of the program are located in the northern portion of Lake Martin near Hillabee Creek. Given there is a limited amount of boat traffic in the area, we were doubtful the islands would be adopted. Now, not only have they

been taken, but they have been adopted by Off the Beaten Path, which is the absolute perfect owner. This is a canoe rental and shuttle service owned by Lake Martin resident Chuck Browne. Browne is a retired Lee County Extension agent and plans to team up with Shane Harris with the Tallapoosa County Extension Service in getting 4-H Kids involved with keeping the islands clean. Why am I smiling? LMRA’s Treasured Mile is successful; we now have a Lake Martin clean-up program that involves young people; the program is measureable and sustainable; and everyone on Lake Martin benefits. There is still work to be done in locating volunteers who will adopt the remaining shoreline segments, and we are confident that will happen. Our next challenge is to find a way to keep our roadsides around Lake Martin litter free. There are many to be recognized for the success of this innovative program, starting with LMRA board member Norm White, who developed the Google map found at www.lmra. info that shows the islands, segments and the owners. This is the heart of the program. The attractive Treasured Mile signs were selectively placed on the APC islands by the shoreline management team of Rhett Hanks and Clint McKelvey, who will also be keeping an eye open for areas that may need attention. Additionally, we offer our sincere gratitude to Betsy Iler, managing editor of Lake magazine, for keeping the program in front of the Lake Martin community with great articles on the progress. Thanks to all! John Thompson is president of Lake Martin Resource Association. Contact him at lmra@lmra.info.

FEBRUARY 2018

LMRA President John Thompson and APC's Rhett Hanks and Clint McKelvey check a recently installed Treasured Mile sign

LAKE 61

Stay in the Moment Wedding planning can feel like running a marathon

Hydration is incredibly important, especially on the day of hen it is all said and done … take a deep breath and remember the purpose of a wedding day is to marry the wedding. It is of utmost importance to eat healthy and drink lots of water on the big day. Many couples make the mistake of the love of a person’s life and have amazing people not eating before the reception. This could lead to loss of energathered with support to celebrate this joyous event. Sounds like an easy task; however, planning the most impor- gy and fatigue. If not having a sit-down dinner, the idea of setting aside a few minutes for the bride and groom to eat makes tant day of a person’s life can be quite overwhelming and for a nice way for the newly married couple to incredibly stressful. In the heat of the moment, begin the celebration. keeping everything in perspective may seem difWhen approaching the finish line – and the ficult. In some ways, planning a wedding can altar – marriage experts agree there are several be compared to running a marathon. A person’s keys to ensuring a successful marriage. It is said a endurance level, stamina, attitude, nutrition, hydrasuccessful marriage does not come merely through tion status and stress level will make a difference finding the right mate, but through being the right on how she runs the race. mate. Start marathon preparations by making it a It’s important to invest money, energy and time top priority that fiancés stay connected with one into a healthy marriage. another and show gratitude to family and friends Love is a decision to stay committed to your who have committed their time and money to spouse. True love lasts forever – through the ups make this day so special. and downs. Faithfulness includes our body, eyes, There are some suggestions that may make the HEALTHY LIVING mind and soul. Humility is the ability to admit you planning process a bit easier. Stay organized by BY JULIE HUDSON are not perfect. making lists of ideas, venues, vendors and phones It is essential to know that people numbers and keeping them together make mistakes and forgiveness is in a wedding book. Gather pictures to needed. Successful marriages exhibit visualize similar ideas that stand out. undying patience and forgiveness and Realize planning cannot be done alone do not harbor in the past. and ask several close friends to douA happy marriage requires more ble-check lists or provide suggestions. time spent invested than any other Delegating tasks to others also helps relationship. A marriage should be a bride-to-be stay focused on what is the most intimate and deepest relareally important. tionship. Trust and honesty are the Be sure to remember through the foundation of a happy and successful months of planning that it is your day! marriage. Everything else falls into This is a time for your creativity and place if the couple works on these personality to shine. Keep a balance essential tasks. Trust builds up after by maintaining a wedding-free zone weeks, months and years of following throughout the process. through on commitments. As the marathon continues, make Communication allows partners sure to focus on some essentials for Hayes and Matt Saul steal to experience patience, trust and feeling in tip-top shape. First of all, a moment before the commitment. Successful marriages maintain a healthy lifestyle by makceremony to exchange exhibit communication about kids, ing sure to get plenty of rest. This letters and re-group bills, hopes, dreams and fears on a will help you to feel relaxed and less regular basis. stressed throughout the planning proA successful marriage is about giving hopes, dreams and life cess. Being well rested also contributes to clear and productive to another person. thoughts, happy moods and added energy. Achieving six to In closing, I quote a friend of mine who said to her son, “It is eight hours of sleep per night will allow recovery from a hard not worth getting upset during the planning because in the end day’s work. it is just a party, and at the end of the day you will be married.” Exercise and proper nutrition will keep the bride-to-be’s Cheers to those who will marry the loves of their lives in body and mind running smoothly. Exercising ensures proper 2018! emotional and physical care by relieving stress and helping to achieve and maintain a desired weight. Eating a healthy diet Julie Hudson is a dietitian at the Lake Martin Wellness low in sugar and salt, moderate amounts of fat, lots of lean Center in Dadeville. protein, low-fat dairy, vegetables, fruit and whole grains will provide energy. 62 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 63

SAY YES! TO NO CLOSING COSTS The NO Closing Costs Mortgage Loan from APCO Employees Credit Union For a limited time. Applies to certain loan products only. For details, ask a Member Service Representative or visit www.apcocu.org. Offer subject to terms and conditions. Promotion applies to 15-year fixed rate mortgages, 10-year fixed rate mortgages, 7-year fixed rate mortgages, 7/1 adjustable rate mortgages, and 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages only. All loans are subject to standard underwriting guidelines. Minimum loan amount $100,000. Current APCO Employees Credit Union loans are not eligible. Application must be submitted Tuesday, January 16, 2018 through Friday, March 16, 2018. Loan must close by Friday, June 29, 2018. If loan is paid off within the first year, member will be charged closing costs. Preferred vendors will be selected by APCO Employees Credit Union. Offer applies to standard closing costs and does not include loan payoffs, lien satisfaction, taxes, insurance or any recurring expense, home inspection, survey, curative title, or other non-standard attorney or closing fees. Must be a member to apply. Maximum closing costs paid by the Credit Union is $7,500. Your savings is federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith of the United States Government. NCUA, National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency. Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.

Alabama Power Corporate Headquarters Birmingham · Chelsea · Clanton · Dothan · Hoover Hueytown · Inverness · Jasper · Mobile · Montgomery Pelham · Trussville · Tuscaloosa · West Mobile

64 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

Smoked Scamp and Potato Croquettes 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.

Ingredients 1-1/4 pounds cooked and riced russet potato 1-1/4 pounds smoked gulf Scamp, flaked into small chunks (crappie would be amazing) 2 eggs beaten 1 cup thinly sliced scallion green and white Salt and pepper to taste If you don’t have a ricer for the potato mash, prepare as if making mashed potatoes but don’t add butter or milk. Once both the fish and potatoes have cooled, place in a large mixing bowl; add the egg, scallion, salt and pepper. Mix well; then shape into quarter-sized balls. FEBRUARY 2018

Dredge 2 cups all-purpose flour 4 whipped eggs 3 cups seasoned breadcrumbs Directions Dredge balls in flour, being sure to knock off as much excess as possible. Then, working with a few at a time, coat in egg and then roll in seasoned breadcrumbs. Once the croquettes have been rolled in the breadcrumbs, fry or freeze for a later date. Fry at 350 degrees until golden brown. Enjoy with mustard and sauerkraut. LAKE 65

Coming Home

wo days before this article was due to the editor, I sat down to write. I stared at the screen of my outdated laptop trying to decide what I would write about this month. It’s not uncommon to experience a little writer’s block, but this was an unusual case. I originally had it planned out. I would write about the role of sound and scent on baits and how I felt that sometimes they make all the difference and other times maybe not so much. As of 9 p.m. the day the article was due, I decided to sit down and try again. Let’s re-visit the sight and sound topic another day. This month, instead of writing about how to conquer the fish of Lake Martin, I wanted to pay my respects to the lake and to the community that surrounds it. I don’t live far from the lake now, but when I push a boat off the trailer and onto the waters of Lake Martin, I truly feel I’m home. I feel very fortunate to have had great parents who worked hard to provide for me and my brother David growing up. They also worked hard to teach us right from wrong, and I’m forever grateful that they raised us in church. I’m thankful for having the opportunity to play several sports in city league 66 LAKE

and for Benjamin Russell. I learned many valuable life lessons through sports from my coaches and my teammates. But, I also owe a debt of gratitude to Lake Martin because it’s on the lake that I really found my independence. At 12, I was paddling around the lake in a Jon boat, and I remember feeling the most exhilarating level of excitement as I pushed the boat away from our dock in Bay Pines. A few years later, my Dad gave me permission to take his bass boat out by myself. I was so excited I ran out into the lake and stopped because I didn’t even know where I wanted to fish. I felt free, like it was just me and the lake. We swam in the summer and fished under our dock light at night. I guided for crappie off a homemade barge that I helped my neighbor, Doug Patterson, build. I was a deckhand for Doug who happened to be one of the best stripe guides on the lake at the time. He taught me to catch catfish on a rig with the weight at the bottom and tiny hook suspended up the line (we call that a drop shot in the bassin’ world now). I fished my first bass tournament on Lake Martin with my Dad, who was a die-hard Federation angler back then. The students at BRHS used to kid me about how they could get

FEBRRUARY 2018

nothing was on the line and no one was watching. Yet I felt that someday I would be back, competing in a big bass tournament on Lake Martin. At the time, it seemed unrealistic as I cast from our 15-foot boat with a 40-horsepower outboard. But, that time has now come, as the Bassmaster Elite Series comes to town Feb. 8-11. I’m excited to showcase the beautiful waters of Lake Martin through the Bassmaster event. It really is a place where dreams can be realized. I know that there are thousands upon thousands of people who have their own stories about the great and memorable experiences they’ve had on and around Lake Martin. We are fortunate to have these clean waters to visit right here in our own backyard, whether we are recreational boating, fishing or just wanting to have a drink and watch a sunset with some friends from a lakehouse deck. Steph and I have a son now, Gaige, who we’ve taken to Lake Martin since he was tiny so that we can share some of those good times with each other and hopefully teach him to appreciate the joy and value of the outdoors. I’m grateful that Lake Martin was designated as a public water body when it was built, and I hope that will never change. It’s main purpose when the dam was built was for hydropower and flood control, but who could have imagined it would provide so much enjoyBIG CATCHES ment to so many people from all BY GREG VINSON different walks of life? It is my hope that with the Bassmaster Elite Series coming to Alexander City, Wind Creek and Lake Martin this month, the rest of the world will get a chance to see something special. Thousands will follow BASS Live with live tournament coverage online at bassmaster.com. The show will later appear on ESPN2 and the Outdoor Channel. Photographers will capture the moments that all anglers cherish when the battles ensue and the fish are landed. They should see our amazing sprawling lake with nearly 900 miles of shoreline that is full of fish, especially bass. This is a community that loves its lake and loves the outdoors, and the people work hard and play even harder. There’s a top-notch facility in Wind Creek State Park that people from all across the country can visit to camp, play and fish. Lake Martin and the surrounding area truly is an awesome place to live and play. Most importantly, I hope this event will inspire someone just to get outdoors, and maybe even chase a dream. Maybe it will be a kid who just can’t get enough fishing and, when no one is looking, pretends that he or she is on the biggest stage in bass fishing. I hope they know that those types of dreams can be realized, as one of mine will when I walk across the stage on Day 1 of the 2018 Bassmaster Elite Series at Lake Martin. Now it’s time to focus on the fishing!

my dad off of Alabama History and onto fishing with one simple question. Usually it was about his biggest fish ever. My mom used to get up before daylight and drop me in at Bay Pines Marina, so me and my buddies could have twoand three-boat fishing tournaments. We had birthday parties at the lake and would throw the watermelon shells in the water and watch the turtles bob on them for hours. We even rode to Kowaliga in the bass boat to watch the July 4th fireworks – once. I took my girlfriend out on Lake Martin in our bass boat, and we knee boarded. Most guys would be proud to take their girl out in their car, but I wasn’t old enough to drive yet. I even got her to fish some. Her name was Stephanie. Now we’ve been married 16 years, and she’s by far the best catch of my life. I used to run to Elkahatchee Creek religiously when I was learning to fish on my own. Everybody knew that was the best place to go back then. I would fish alone and pretend that I was in a big tournament. I would fight the fish as if my Greg Vinson is a full-time professional angler on the livelihood depended on it, like every bite was critical. I acted Bassmaster Elite Series and PPA tours. He lives in Wetumpka like I was fishing against the best fisherman in the world. and grew up fishing on Lake Martin. I remember feeling that it was weird to be that way when FEBRUARY 2018 LAKE 67

68 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

The Beer Sommelier Find the perfect marriage of food and fermented beverages for any occasion

The wedding season is upon us and ou’ve got the entire evening what better way to spice things up than planned. It will be nothing to offer several different types of beer at short of perfect. Flowers. A the post-rehearsal dinner, couples shower quiet table. Romance will no doubt be and the reception. I am certainly not sugin the air. You’ve considered everygesting forgoing a well selected bottle thing until you get the question. of wine because, well, wine is awesome; “What wine would you like with however, offering well-paired craft beer your meal?” with different courses of the meal or Panic ensues. finger food could only serve to make the Your magical evening is crashevent a more festive occasion. ing about you. Every embarrassing After having finished this beer flamoment you’ve ever experienced has vored masterpiece, you shall be able to been multiplied by infinity, but only HOPPY DAYS carry yourself with the quiet confidence because there is not a larger number BY DEE WALKER that assures everyone that you are that than infinity. person who is capable of making these Then, your savior arrives by your most important pairings. side in the form of a well-spoken, well-dressed Let’s start light and work our way to the darker wine sommelier. For our purposes, he or she probbrews, as darker, heavier beers tend to overwhelm ably has an English accent to lend an even greater one’s palate. air of authority to your knight in shining armor. Pilsners: These pair nicely with American, The wine sommelier gently walks you through Muenster, Monterey Jack and Havarti cheeses. possible selections while allowing you to maintain some sense of dignity by making it appear that you Pilsners enhance light seafood, such as salmon, are much more knowledgeable about wine than you tuna and trout, as well. Beginning the meal with a pilsner and a light salad is a great start. actually are. Wheat/Hefeweizen: Soups, salads, sweet Asian Your dinner companion is terribly impressed and dishes, citrus dishes and desserts all pair well with might even consider you sophisticated but for the these tasty, lighter beverages. fact that you paint your shirtless torso on football Lagers: Shellfish, sushi, grilled pork and chickgame days. The evening is saved. en, light pasta dishes, Latin and Mexican foods all Wine sommeliers and people who fancy thempair well with a lager that carries just a bit more selves to be wine experts have been around since just after the first bottle of wine was opened. Their weight than the pilsners and wheats. Ales: Burgers, steaks, wings, pizza and spicy mission in life is to educate us as to their vast foods are enhanced with the addition of a nice ale. knowledge of all things grape and what we should Porters: Smoked foods, sausage, rich stew pair with the various and sundry courses that make meats, bacon and chili hold up well against a up our meals. heavier porter. With the craft beer explosion over the last Stouts: Roasted and smoked foods, barbecue, decade or so, we have seen the arrival of yet another addition to the dining experience – the beer salty foods, oysters and chocolate are all enhanced when served with a robust stout. sommelier. Not terribly prevalent in the South as There you have it. Armed with this information yet, beer sommeliers have been sharing their mystical food-pairing abilities with diners in urban areas you are now a beer sommelier! and other parts of the country for the last 10 years Dee Walker is the owner of Fermenter's Market or more. I’m going to pull back the curtain on these gurus on the Green in Alexander City and Fermenter's of fermented beverages so that you, too, could be a Market at the Rex in Sylacauga. Find him on Facebook. beer sommelier.

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 69

Golf on the Go Destination courses provide options for weddings and outings

Trail is open to the public and would be a great emories are made on the course. With option for a day trip with friends or family. the focus of this month’s magazine Farmlinks in Sylacauga is also about 45 minbeing weddings, I figured we’d touch utes from Lake Martin. Farmlinks is home to on destination golf travel and groomsmen’s prea wonderful 18-hole golf course designed by wedding golf. As of late, weddings have become Hurdzan/Fry, who also designed Willow Point. very popular at destination venues. These venues Over the years, Farmlinks has added lodging, have it all – lodging, golf, fine dining and ample making it a great option for an overnight trip. space to have the post-wedding reception. They also have an Orvis Sporting Clay operaThroughout the season, we at Willow Point tion that would be great fun for a group of guys are fortunate to host many wedding parties for either before or after a round of golf. golf. These groups typically consist of anywhere Those are two options that are open to the from eight to 24 players. The special thing about public and just a stone’s throw away from Lake this is that we get to have a hand in helping the PAR for the COURSE Martin. group make a memory that will last a lifetime. BY MATT SHEPPARD For those that might be interested in a lonDestination golf doesn’t have to revolve ger trip, golfers from this area regularly travel around a wedding; groups of friends and golfing to many fun and exciting locations across the buddies travel all the time to great places to play golf. Golf is known as a gentlemen’s game and, as I wrote last world to enjoy some of the world’s most famed tracks. A few that come to mind would be Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, month, can be enjoyed by all ages. People from all walks of Pinehurst, Streamsong, life can find something in Ireland and Scotland. Those common if they are golfers. would be, in my opinion, There is a special bond with the hot spots for public golf enthusiasts that is hard access destination golf to find anywhere else. travel. Over the past 20 years, So whether you are destination golf travel attending a wedding at options have become more a venue that offers golf widespread across the counor planning a trip with try and world. These opporfriends or family, there are tunities can be day trips, countless options for you. overnight trips or week-long The internet is a powerful trips. Due to the vast majorvehicle and will provide ity of public and resort golf you with all the informaopportunities within drivtion needed to access any of ing distance from the Lake these destination golf locaMartin area, the day trips are tions. The most valuable very easily attainable and thing about traveling with affordable. friends or family is that you The Robert Trent Jones are creating a memory that Trail offers Alabamians the can last a lifetime – a memopportunity to play multiple ory that was created around facilities within driving the sport of golf. distance. The majority of the locations offer more Matt Sheppard is a PGA than just 18 holes. The closprofessional at Willow est location to us would be Point Golf & Country Grand National in Opelika. Club. Contact him at 256This location offers lodgJosh Jordan (center) and his 329-0835 or email him at ing and great golf just 45 groomsmen break for a putting msheppard@russelllands. minutes away from the lake. contest during the reception com The Robert Trent Jones Golf

70 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

Looking for the perfect Lake Martin Area home?

73 PINE POINT, TRILLIUM 5 BR, 4.5 BA • $1,539,500

6 BR, 5.5 BA • $1,399,000

243 LAUREL RIDGE

520 WILLOW WAY EAST

581 WILLOW WAY WEST

499 OLD STILL ROAD

106 MONCRIEF ROAD

104 THOMAS LOOP

244 STILL CREEK POND ROAD

4 BR, 3.5 BA • $795,000

4 BR, 4 BA • $689,900

4 BR, 4 BA • $1,050,000

4 BR, 3 BA • $379,000

AMANDA SCROGGINS amanda@amandascroggins.com www.amandascroggins.com 256-749-6634

4 BR, 3.5 BA • $799,500

3 BR, 2 BA • $269,000

SAMANTHA SPURLIN sam@samanthaspurlin.com www.samanthaspurlin.com 256-786-0650

office 256.329.LAKE (5253) • 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 71

Legend

20 To Sylacauga

Ti L

280

9 Churches

Alexander City

Public Boat Ramps 7

Camp ASCCA

Flint Hill Church

Camps & Parks

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

12 20

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Friendship Church New Hope Church

Liberty Church

Willow Point

Equality

Kowaliga Boat Landing

Seman

Trillium

18 The Ridge

The Amp Ko w

ali

Central

Union

ELMORE COUNTY Union Church

Red Hill 63

229

Eclectic

Tallassee

16 11

72 LAKE

Union Landing

Children’s Harbor

Camp Alamisco

1 10

Church in The Pines Camp Kiwanis

Paces Point Boat Ramp

Kent

FEBRRUARY 2018

Timbergut Landing

Horseshoe Bend National Park

Jaybird Landing

Lake Martin Alabama Marinas

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

11. Kowaliga Marina 334-857-2111 255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 22. The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300 450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 33. River North Marina 256-397-1500 250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Jacksons Gap

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

280

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

Bethel Church

Dadeville

280

4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 15 256-234-2567 1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010 4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 16 334-541-2132 1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 4. Russell Building Supply 17 256-825-4256 350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 18 4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333 288 Stables Loop, Alex City, AL 35010 19 4. Dark Insurance 256-234-5026 410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 www.darkinsuranceagency.com

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

. McDaniels Storage Center 20 256-234-4583 1040 Highway 280, Alex City, AL 35010

72. Alex City Marine Sales and Service 256-215-3474 2190 Cherokee Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

21 . Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Road, Eclectic, AL 36024

Restaurants Camp Hill

Smith Landing Pleasant Ridge Church

9 Catherine’s Market 6. 256-215-7070 17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

11 Bezlo's Bar & Grill 334-639-0003 65 Main Street., Eclectic, AL 36024

Stillwaters

Business & Shopping 12 Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075 970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010

Walnut Hill 50 50

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.

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

Lake Martin Baptist Church 49 Church of the Living Waters

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

13 Karen Channell State Farm Financial Services 256-234-3481 5030 Hwy. 280, Alex City, AL 35010 14 5. Lake Martin Mini Mall 334.857.3900 7995 Kowaliga Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024

Reeltown

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 73

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 Emporium Wine Grace’s Flowers Hampton Inn Holley’s Home Furnishings Hometown Pharmacy Jackson Drugs Jake’s JR’s Sports Bar & Grill Koon’s Korner Koon’s Korner II Lake Martin Building Supply Lakewinds Golf Club Larry’s General Store Longleaf Antiques Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture

74 LAKE

Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast DADEVILLE Queen’s Attic Bay Pine Marina Regions Bank Blue Creek Marina Ridge - Clubhouse City Hall Ridge - Marina Chamber of Commerce River North Marina Chuck's Marina Riverbend Store Dadeville Wellness Center Russell Home Décor Foshee's Boat Doc Russell Medical Center Homeplate Restaurant Russell Lands Harbor Pointe Marina Russell Retail Store Lakay’s Flowers & Gifts Satterfield, Inc Lake Martin Flowers & Gifts Senior Nutrition~50+ Center Lake Martin Community Sho’ Nuff Restaurant Hospital Springhouse Restaurant Lakeshore Discount Pharmacy T.C. Russell Airport Lakeside Marina Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc Niffer's At The Lake The Medicine Shoppe Oskar's Cafe The Sure Shot Payne Furniture USAmeribank Pearson’s Place Warren's Appliance Parts Poplar Dawgs Willow Point Country Club Public Library Wind Creek - entrance Pug's Place Wind Creek - store PNC Bank Winn Dixie Renfroes 280 BP Russell Building Supply 280 Exxon Shell Station Sigger’s Stillwaters Country Club CHELSEA Store 34 Winn-Dixie USAmeribank The Ditsy Daisy Boutique

CHILDERSBURG Piggly Wiggly

ECLECTIC Bezlo's Children’s Harbor Cotton’s BBQ

FEBRRUARY 2018

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

Chamber of Commerce Tallassee Automotive The Tallassee Tribune

EQUALITY

WETUMPKA

Equality Food Mart Real Island Marina Southern Star INVERNESS Winn-Dixie Airwalk Ultimate Trampoline Arena Tree Top Family Adventure

KELLYTON Five Star Plantation MOUNTAIN BROOK Whole Foods Market

RED HILL Citgo SYLACAUGA Good Ole Boys BBQ Piggly Wiggly

TALLASSEE Community Hospital

WALNUT HILL Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Grocery The Wetumpka Herald A limited number of magazines are placed at these locations. To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.

Lake Martin Business and Service Directory

Residential | Commercial | Interior | Exterior

256-307-4061 columbus-auburn.certapro.com Mike&Kris DobbsOwners1550OpelikaRoadSuite6Box294�| Auburn,AL36830 EachCertaProPainters ® businessis independently ownedandoperated. Each CertaPro Painters® business is independently owned and operated.

OLMAN

LOOR

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

OMPANY

“WE’RE THE PROFESSIONALS”

Hardwood Floors Ceramic Tile Carpet & Vinyl

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

Visit our showroom for samples and a free estimate!

A Division of Goldwater Bank, N.A.

Locally Owned for Over 45 Years

248 Inverness Ctr Dr, Birmingham AL

256-234-6071

334-332-3435 334-391-0759

1945 Hwy 280 • Alexander City

COACH KRAFT

SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

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

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700

LAKE

haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

■

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

205-995-7283

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

Performance! Visit LoveLakeMartin.com

Paige Patterson

205-616-8046

www.paigepatterson.com

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

MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 75

Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing....................................................... 15

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

Prime Management................................................. 6

Alex City Guide Service........................................ 8

George Hardy D.M.D........................................... 59

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

Alex City Marine................................................... 15

Harris Carraige...................................................... 75

Russell Lands.......................................................... 45

Amanda Scroggins, RE/MAX Around the Lake.........71

Heritage South Credit Union............................ 76

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

APCO Credit Union.......................................................64

Hilltop Landscaping............................................... 76

Satterfield................................................................ 17

Blue Creek Iron Works....................................... 75

Holley’s Home Furnishings................................. 80

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

Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation......................... 8

Holman Floor......................................................... 75

State Farm Insurance/ Harold Cochran..........75

C&T Eclectric.......................................................... 8

J&M Tank Lines....................................................... 11

State Farm Insurance/ Karen Channell..........75

Cahaba Glass............................................................ 6

Jackson Thornton.................................................. 71

Sunrise Dock.......................................................... 11

CertaPro Painters................................................. 75

Kevin Lanier Photography................................... 29

Tallassee Community Hospital............................. 6

Cloverdale Jewelry................................................ 29

Kowaliga Whole Health....................................... 75

Temple Medical Center....................................... 59

Coach Kraft Upholstery...................................... 75

Lake Martin Dock................................................. 16

UAB Heart & Vascular......................................... 20

Crew Lending......................................................... 75

Lake Martin Mini Mall.......................................... 39

Walmart.................................................................. 75

Custom Docks....................................................... 29

Lake Martin Tractor and Outdoors..................59

Wedowee Marine................................................. 12

Damon Story, Cedar Point................................. 60

Mark King's Furniture.......................................... 63

White Acres Farm................................................ 36

DAVCO Development......................................... 75

McGhee Furniture Warehouse............................ 5

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

Deep Water Dock Services................................ 39

Moore Wealth Management............................... 79

Wind Creek Casino............................................... 3

Designs by Trish..................................................... 57

Noel Boone............................................................ 75

WSC Distinctive Builders, LLC......................... 56

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

Paige Patterson, Lake Martin Voice Realty......75

76 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

GET STARTED TODAY WITH THE PLATINUM REWARDS VISA CREDIT CARD FROM HERITAGE SOUTH CREDIT UNION.

APR* UNTIL MAY 2018 WWW.MYHSCU.COM / 256.245.4776 SYLACAUGA - CHILDERSBURG - MOODY – ALEXANDER CITY

The promotional rate of 1.99% APR is valid on new HSCU VISA platinum rewards credit cards for all activity (purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances) completed during the promotional period and that rate will remain in effect on that promotional period activity through the final billing cycle of May 2018, at which point the balances on that promotional period activity will convert to the standard card rate – see credit union for details. Promotional offer good from 11/1/2017 – 5/1/2018. APR = Annual Percentage Rate FEBRUARY 2018

LAKE 77

78 LAKE

FEBRRUARY 2018

Parting Shot

~ Susan Orlean

"A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky, unbidden, and seems like a thing of wonder."

Photo by Kenneth Boone

Advertorial

Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits

By Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., principal of Moore Wealth Management, Inc.

The problem with maximizing Social Security benefits is how complicated it has become and is likely to remain so for the next several years. Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management, Inc. (MWM) conducts an annual workshop every February on maximizing Social Security benefits that includes recent changes to the rules. The February 2018 workshop will be on Tuesday, February 20 at 12 p.m. at the local office at 51 Clay Street. Please call 256.234.2761 for more information and reservations. The workshop will cover how the Social Security system works in general. Specifically, the workshop will discuss different techniques to maximize Social Security including when and how to file, how to lessen taxes on Social Security, and special rules that impact widows and widowers, divorcees and spousal benefits. For example, rule changes went into effect in 2016 that result in

More than 95% of Social Security recipients don’t maximize their benefits, according to a study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Over 40% of Americans file at age 62, minimizing their benefits if they live into their eighties. By minimizing their benefits, Americans are missing out on tens of thousands of dollars of benefits, if not more, according to Larry Kotlikoff, author of a best-selling book on maximizing social security benefits that was published in 2015. different options for people born before versus after January 1, 1954. There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to maximizing Social Security. It pays to learn how the rules apply to you. It will also discuss how the cost of living adjustments are figured and how those adjustments impact Medicare premiums as well as potential reforms to Social Security resulting from the solvency issues confronting Social Security and Medicare. We conduct a variety of workshops and seminars at MWM. The mission statement of MWM is very simple: “and then some.” We attempt to do what is expected, what is required and then some. The Social Security workshop is part of our monthly “and then some” workshops. In addition, MWM conducts monthly current events market updates that attempt to explain what is going on in the financial

FEBRUARY 2018

world. If you would like to be on the mailing list or receive email notifications of upcoming seminars, please call 256.234.2761. Susan Clayton Moore, J.D. is a financial advisor and principal of Moore Wealth Management, Inc., with offices in Alexander City, Auburn and Montgomery, AL. Managing over $160 million in assets, she has been a financial planner for nearly 35 years. She is affiliated with LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC, the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer* and ranks in the top two percent of their financial advisors based on total production. Contact Susan at 256.234.2761. Email contact is susan@moorewealthmanagement. com. *Based on total revenues, as reported in Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2017. Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC

LAKE 79

E V E R Y D AY ! Reclining Sofa $795

Reclining Console Love Seat $795 Matching Recliner $495

Southerland Stanton Plush Mattress

King set $695 Queen set $495 In stock now!

Sealy Conform Optimistic Mattress

Queen SET now only $899!! No springs, No sagging, No body impressions. No aches and pains.

FREE Local Delivery! FREE Set Up and Removal of Old Bedding! Free Mattress Protector!

256.234.4141 80 LAKE Alexander City

334.279.3101 Montgomery FEBRRUARY 2018