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Wishing all 256 - 841 - 1970 Smith Lake Folks a great and safe Specialit~ies.B.. rPeaastkrfieass§tC&upLcuankecsh§ CSeherevsecdakDesa§iClyak~es § Coffee Amanda & Brad Quattlebaum 4th of July. 324 County Road 222, Cullman, AL. 35055 sunflourbakery@ outlook.com Smith Lake Living™54 | smithlakeliving.com
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Don’t Drink and Drive ! Cullman County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Matt Gentry (256) 734-0342 1910 Beech Avenue S.E. Cullman, AL. 35055 @ Cullman.Sheriff Smith Lake Task ForceHorses Offering People Encouragement Our Mission: At H.O.P.E. Our Vision: Is to serveis to provide therapeutic the benefits of therapeutichorsemanship programs programs to specials needsto individuals with special individuals in Cullman &physical, social,cognitive, surrounding areas.& emotional needs. Our Mission: At Smith Lake Task Force is to Our Vision: Is to serve and promote boating provide high tech equipment for search / rescue / safety on Smith Lake and other Alabama lakes recovery missions. and waterways. Help Keep Smith Lake safe by donating to the Smith Lake Task Force:www.hopehorses.org Follow us on Facebook Mike Beasley Memorial Foundation 198 Duskin Point Road 1301 Convent Road Jasper, AL. 35504 Cullman, AL. 35055 (205) 384-6942 Smith Lake Water Level ReportLake Level - June 18, 2018 ......................... 509.’2” Water Temperature:Rule Curve Lake Level June 18, 2018...... 510 ’ 86 degrees - 0.8 Feet Below Rule Curve Record High Water Level 10 inches Below Full Pool March 1973 .......... 521.2’Historical Average Lake Level .................. 508.7’ Record Low Water Level October 1971 ........ 488.8’ Source Corps of Engineers56 | smithlakeliving.com
A love of naturestarts early.Ours did too.Did you know that frogs are an indicator of the healthof water systems? At Alabama Power, we’ve beenhelping manage and protect Alabama’s naturalresources for more than a hundred years,partnering with organizations across the stateto preserve the health of our river ecosystems.Plus, we work hard to care for wildlifehabitats and give endangered speciesthe chance for a future. Because we lovenature – and frogs – as much as you do.AlabamaPower.com/Environment© 2018 Alabama Power Company smithlakeliving.com I 57
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& Equipment SalesJoe Westbrook 205-612-4677 or 205-504-1454• Extreme Brush Cutting • Dozer Work• Limb Trimming - 16’ High • Hauling• Excavating Work • Loader Work• Homesite Cleanup • Driveway Installation smithlakeliving.com I 59
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Fish Tails © Cullman County paved County Road 222 from AL. High- way 69 South to Big Bridge. Check out the shoulders of the roadway filled with gravel. GOOD JOB! Arrowhead Park 761 County Road 941 Crane Hill, AL. Re-modeling for new Restuarnt. NOW OPEN62 | smithlakeliving.com
205 . 275 . 6400 Let us build & install your quality boat dock, walkway, or swim deck witha timely set-up. Call Robbin Vaughn today for experienced dock services with apersonalized touch. “Serving our Smith Lake Customers since 2012”Email:[email protected] Follow Us onwww.smithlakeboatdockservices.com FACEBOOK smithlakeliving.com I 63
A Light in the Darkness: GIRLS RANCH ~ CHAPEL GIRLS RANCH ~ ADMINISTRATION64 I smithlakeliving.com
Life at Big Oak Ranch By: Kristine Bullock GIRLS RANCH People all over the world have different defi-nitions of what they call home. Some live in apart- BOYS RANCHments, log cabins, teepees, or maybe even igloos.What remains constant is what it means to feel at GIRLS RANCHhome. It has been said that being at home is nota place but a feeling - a feeling of love, and securi- smithlakeliving.com I 65ty. Where you can be comfortable in your own skinwithout having to put on airs for the world aroundyou. Unfortunately, not everybody is blessed with be-ing born into a safe home that offers protection andrefuge. The beautiful thing about humanity today isthat when trouble arises, hope can always be foundsomewhere on the horizon. A well-known prayer ofpeace articulates this clearly saying, “where thereis hatred, let me sow love…where there is darkness,light”. Big Oak Ranch has become this light in thedarkness, a place of refuge for those who have neverknown what it feels like to be at home. Big Oak Ranch is a Christian home for chil-dren, which was founded in 1974 by John Croyle.Since that time, the Ranch has served more than2000 children with over 130 children living theretoday. They fulfill their mission to “meet the needsof abused, neglected, and abandoned children” bymaking four promises to the faces that walk throughtheir doors: “I love you. I’ll never lie to you. I’ll stickwith you until you’re grown. There are boundaries– don’t cross them”. Big Oak Ranch believes thatif you surround children with the right environment,they have a better chance of living to their full poten-tial. The Ranch is comprised of both a Girls’Ranch and a Boys’ Ranch. Both Ranches sit onover 320 acres, the Boys Ranch located outside ofGadsden, Alabama and the Girls Ranch just northof Springville, Alabama. Though they may be milesapart, each Ranch maintains similar facilities. Eachhas nine residential homes that can house up toeight children of various ages with a dedicated Chris- Continued on Page 66
BIG OAK RANCHtian couple who has made a long-term commitment to provide love, safety, and security to those entrusted totheir care. The Ranches also each have a gymnasium, equine center, swimming pool, and a transition hometo help young adults adjust from high school to adulthood. The children come to find their home at Big Oak Ranch in a variety of ways. Parents or guardians whoare unable or unwilling to care for them may find their way to the assistance that Big Oak Ranch can provide.Others may come from private sources that know the specific needs of the family. Orphaned, abused, orneglected children from all over the nation are welcomed to the Ranch regardless of their circumstance. BigOak Ranch welcomes children between the ages of 6 and 18. In whatever path leads them to find Big OakRanch, once they arrive they are considered family and the Ranch becomes their home. Continued on Page 68BOYS RANCH 66 | smithlakeliving.com
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BIG OAK RANCH Since children come at all different ages, their length of stay varies. The boys and girls at the Ranchall attend Westbrook Christian School in Rainbow City, Alabama, all the way through graduation from highschool. Then, they are able to choose their own path. Some choose to enroll in college or vocational school,which the Ranch helps with financially. Others enlist in the armed forces, and some join the work force.Those who desire may live in the Transition Home, which is similar to an apartment complex. In the Transi-tion Home, residents work full-time, go to college full-time, or do a combination of both. They pay bills andhold responsibilities just like any other college-age student with the added supervision from the ChildcareTeam.Without having our basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing met, we cannot be born into this worldto thrive. Big Oak Ranch changes the destiny of children every day by not only meeting these needs, but pro-viding them with the knowledge that they are loved, the confidence to go out into the world with pride, and aplace they can call home. By giving these children a chance, not only is Big Oak Ranch making a differencein their lives, they are also shaping the foundation of our world. g hSmith Lake LivingtmBOYS RANCH BOYS RANCHGIRLS RANCH68 | smithlakeliving.com
Wake the World ~ Smith Lake By Kristine Bullock We are living in a time where tragic headlines and heartbreaking stories fill our nightly news channels.“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping”. This is the advice Fred Rogers gave duringhis time as an acclaimed children’s television host. If you are a resident of Smith Lake, then you may have no-ticed all of the helpers out on the water on June 15, 2018. More than 80 volunteers with 24 boats gathered forthe 8th annual Wake the World Alabama event at Smith Lake. With joy in their hearts, individuals came togeth-er to provide a day of love and laughter to children whose lives will be forever changed. Wake the World is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was started in North Carolina by GregHodgin in 2008. The organization is a group of boat owners who provide watersport opportunities to aban-doned, abused, or neglected children as well as people with disabilities and wounded warriors. Wake the Worldevents are held all over the country. In 2018, there will be more than 50 events held in 28 states plus Canadawith over 500 boats and countless volunteers. Wake the World Alabama first came to Smith Lake in 2011 with the help of Heath and Jennifer Pattonwho coordinated the event at Silverock Cove. The event partners with Big Oak Ranch, a Christian children’sorganization with homes located in both Gadsden and Springville Alabama. The first year, there were approx-imately 70 children and staff who participated. In 2015, the location of the event changed to Windemere, andwith the change in location came a change in leadership. Cary DeWitte and Julius Bloomston now work as co-chairs for Wake the World Alabama to plan and coordinate an incredible day on the water. This year, more than100 children and staff were able to attend. Though the event is only one day a year, DeWitte and Bloomston work in partnership year round toensure Wake the World Alabama is a success. Together, they promote the event by engaging in fundraisinginitiatives, organizing boat drivers and volunteers, and planning both lunch and dinner for the participants. Theevent would not be possible without the support from local sponsors and volunteers making Wake the WorldAlabama a true community project. Continued on page 70 smithlakeliving.com I 69
WAKE THE WORLD - SMITH LAKE Wake the World Alabama is a sanctioned andinsured event through the World Wakeboard Associa-tion. In addition, all of the boat drivers who volunteertheir time are required to take a boaters safety courseoffered through the National Association of StateBoating Law Administrators (NASBLA). Most driversreturn year after year to give of their time and offertheir most expensive toys to people they have nevermet. This year, there were four new boat drivers, a truetestament to how much the event is growing. “Encouragement, Accomplishments, andSmiles” – these are the words that DeWitte and Bloom-ston would use to describe this one of a kind event.The day is filled with hugs, high-fives, laughter, andthousands of smiles, and the happiness of the childrenradiates into the lives of everybody involved. ThoughWake the World Alabama only lasts a day, the memo-ries created will live in the hearts of participants for alifetime.If you would like more information about Wakethe World Alabama, you can follow them on Facebookor Instagram. g hSmith Lake Livingtm Brooke Edwards, The Lake Co. presents check to Cary DeWitte for Wake the World - Smith Lake Event.70 I smithlakeliving.com
“For all your Fab needs on Land or Water.”Rodney Weaver - Owner256-476-2581Email: [email protected] County Road 209Danville, AL.Don’t TEXT and DRIVE !~ Stay Alert • Drive Defensively • Obey the Speed Limit & Traffic Laws • Be Safe ~ Cullman County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Matt Gentry (256) 734-0342 1910 Beech Avenue S.E. Cullman, AL. 35055@ Cullman.Sheriff smithlakeliving.com I 71
Linda Lewis President of the Chamber of Commerce of Walker CountyUnder the Linda’s leadership the Chamber of Commerce of Walker County... has hosted numberous local and national bass tournaments. By Rachel Sweigard If there is one thing that the Smith Lake area is not lacking in, it is people who love it and believe in it. These people are staunch advocates and volunteers for the lake, and work to bring others to know its beauty. Each community around Smith Lake is filled with these people, and Linda Lewis, of IJasper, is a prime example. For over 20 years, Lewis has served as the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Walk- er County. During her tenure as president, Lewis has overseen countless projects, partnerships, and years of prosperity for Walker County and its surrounding areas. Recently, Lewis and the Walker County leadership team initiated the development of a five-year strategy called “Forward Walker County.” Lewis feels that this pro- gram has been a success, stating that “The vision of all community leaders and investors involved in the decision making of the ‘Forward Walker County’ initiative has resulted in a return on investment that has directly enhanced the quality of life and well-being of all citizens in Walker County.” Under the umbrella of this strategy, a funding campaign was started, which enabled the Chamber to continue the advancement of economic prosperity of Walker County through efforts such as travel and tourism volume. One example of this funding campaign’s efforts is the fact that the Chamber, through partnerships with area individuals and agencies, helped to make Smith Lake a destination for tourists and visitors. According to Lewis, “community leaders, public offi- cials and hundreds of volunteers work together on programs and events like bass tourna- ments, which fuel a positive image and add to the economic well-being of the community.” To date, the Chamber of Commerce of Walker County has hosted tournaments such as: the Bassmaster Southern Open, FLW tour, Alabama Bass Trail, Alabama Bass National Continued on page 7372 I smithlakeliving.com
High School, Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing AddGasAndGoAssociation tournaments. These tournaments draw Watercraft LLCquite a crowd, with roughly 350-400 anglers in townfor the often week-long tournaments. According to Mobile Repair Service & SalesLewis, the economic impact of a single tournamentcan reach upwards of $2 million, making it a wiseinvestment for the county as these funds havedirectly enhanced the Walker County area, includingSmith Lake. Lewis also states that Smith Lake makes theperfect setting for a fishing tournament due to itsexcellent fishing conditions, more than 500 miles ofshoreline, and the hospitality extended to all anglersby the community. Not surprisingly, Smith Lake isone of just thirteen premier bass fishing lakes locat-ed on the Alabama Bass Trail, which stretches fromNorth Alabama to the Mobile Delta. The Trail wasunveiled in March 2012 by former Governor RobertBentley as part of a statewide tourism, conserva-tion, and educational initiative. Through efforts on the part of Lewis andother leaders in the Smith Lake area, Smith Lakehas become a summertime destination for tourists,anglers, novice fishermen, and hopeful residentsalike. g hSmith Lake Livingtm 256-590-5369 Greg Huffman Owner Certified Mechanic smithlakeliving.com I 73
Events Church on the Lake Rock Smith Lake Smith Lake RV Resort 800 County Road 202, Crane Hill July 1st. Devil’s Branck 8 a.m. Every Sunday FredricksOutdoor.co Free Concert LACS Rock Creek Mission Church Smith Lake Park Easter Sunday - Labor Day ~ 8 am. Fireworks LEAVE NO MARK™ July 4 th..- 8 pm www.leavenomark.com Smith Lake Park Info: 256-739-2916 Wake Battle July 14th. Smith Lake Park Russell Marine 256-841-6365 Smith Lake Concert Series The Secret Sisters July 21st [email protected] The Grille at Trident Marina Summer Concert SeriesEvery Friday & Saturday Evening For Info go to Facebook Page: The Grille at Trident Marina Goldiggers Bar & Grill Concert SeriesEvery Friday & Saturday Evening For Info go to Facebook Page: Godiggers Bar & Grill at Lakeshore Inn & Marina Get your smithlakeliving™ APP FREE GET CONNECTED STAY UP TO DATE ON SMITH LAKE HAPPENINGS !74 | smithlakeliving.com
RCBC - 13th. Annual Fishing TournamentRyan’s Creek Baptist Church annual fishingtournament had a 130 boats to compete for moneyand prizes. The past 13 years RCBC Outdoor Ad-ventures committee runs a free entry fee bass tour-nament as a ministry outreach. The success comeswith over 90 people who have made the decision toaccept Christ, or renew their relationship with him.For information about next year’s program contact256-287-1613. g hSmith Lake Livingtm RCBC Tournament 2018 WinnersRCBC Tournament OfficialsParent / Child Fishing Teams smithlakeliving.com I 75
By Rachel Sweigard This year’s FLW Fishing tactic for him over the course of the anglers who like to fish in more shal-Tournament came to the crystal three-day event. low water. The tournament ended withclear waters of Smith Lake on April David Williams taking home the win26-29. For those three days, 182 pro The event began on April and $102,700 in cash and prizes withand co-anglers from across the coun- 26th and the day ended with David 64 pounds, 9 ounces of fish, John Coxtry fished the waters of Smith Lake Williams of Maiden, North Carolina coming in second with 59 pounds, 12and competed to see who would have reeling in 18 pounds, 11 ounces of ounces, and Cody Meyer taking thirdthe best catch. The event, hosted by largemouth bass to take a 3 pound with 59 pounds, 2 ounces of fish.the Chamber of Commerce of Walker lead over Blake Smith, according toCounty, brought family, friends, and Ostruszka. Williams’ edge came from The event brought anglers,fans of the anglers to Smith Lake and the fact that he was able to find a few family, friends, and fans to the areasurrounding areas. creeks off the lake in the practice over the course of three days and round to get some good quality bites. these visitors were able to see the Smith Lake’s variety makes it Additionally, a sunny day and dropped beauty and hospitality that localsa prime spot for bass fishing. Accord- water levels brought more fish closer know Smith Lake holds. Information ining to Jody White of FLW Fishing, the to the surface of the lake and could this article is courtesy of FLW Fishingpresence of bushes, docks, and rocks be easily caught. For other anglers, and its respective authors.as well as shallow pockets close to the rain that poured down in the daysthe shore and deep water in the mid- before the tournament made fishing g hSmith Lake Livingtmdle make it easy for fish to spawn and a bit challenging as the lake was veryfor anglers to reel them in. The top 10 muddy and the water level was high,finishers in the tournament primarily forcing fish underneath tree and bushfished either the Rock Creek or Ryan’s cover. As the tournament went on, theCreek area of Smith Lake or a mixture anglers reeled in fish after fish, pri-of both, according to Sean Ostruszka marily largemouth bass with spottedof FLW Fishing. For anglers such as bass coming in second. On the thirdCody Meyer, fishing near bridges and day of the tournament, the water leveldock cables proved to be a worthwhile dropped again, which worked well for76 | smithlakeliving.com
David Williams winner of FLW Smith lake Tournament with 64 lbs.9oz. of fish. smithlakeliving.com I 77
Advertiser IndexAdd Gas and Go- PWC Repairs 256-590-5369 www.addgasandgowatercraft.com Lynn Layton Auto Dealerships 256-353-8150 www.lynnlayton.comAlabama Power Company 800-525-3711 www.alabamapower.com Mallard Pointe 256-338-1751 www.mallardpointehomes.comArrowhead RV Park 256-747-2519 www.arrowheadpark-camp.com Manasco Landscaping LLC 205-522-3084 www.manascolandscapingllc.comBama Steel Structures, Inc. 256-338-2066 www.bamasteelstructures.com Mustard Seed Nursery 256-737-7333Bank fo Walker County 205-295-0033 www.bankofwalkercounty.com Mulberry Excavation 205-612-4677B & H Tree Service 256-287-1446 Nelems Marine 205-221-3072 www.nelems.comBJC Real Estate REMAX 256-287-9140 www.bjcrealestate.net Oden Glass 256-734-2800BMS Marine 256-747-2988 www.smithlakedockrepair.com Pop’s Place Bar BQ 256-887-1313 www.popsplacebarbq.comBradberry Design LLC 205-391-8035 [email protected] Riverpeak Partners - Raymond James 205-874-1804 www..facebook.com/riverpeakpartnersCornerstone Construction 205-384-9990 www.smithlakebuilders.net Riverside Fly Shop 256-287-9582 www.riversideflyshop.comCountry Mall Convenience Store 256-747-6235 Russell Marine 256-841-6365 www.russellmarine.netCullman County Sheriff’s Office 256-734-0342 S & S Foods 256-874-1804 www.ssfoods.netCullman Overhead Door & Glass 256-734-0792 www.cullmanglass.com Sharon Miller- ReMax Platinum 256-747-2613 www.smithlakehomes.netCulpepper Real Estate 256-739-1389 www.culpepperrealestate.com Shoreline Properties LLC 256-507-0965 www.shorelinedevelopments.comDodge City Collision Center LLC 256-287-0680 www.dodgecitybodyshop.com ShowcaseLighting Floors & More 205-387-0238Duncan Bridge Marina & RV 205-387-1208 www.duncanbridgemarina.com Silverock Cove - H2 Realestate 205-994-6504 www.silverockcove.comDuskin Point Marina 205-384-6942 www.duskinpointmarina.com Skinner’s Country Mart 256-747-2082Elite RV & Boat Storage 256-734-2382 Smith Lake Air Park 256-507-0965 www.discoversmithlake.comFabri Tech Inc Boat Docks 256-385-2336 www.fabritechboatdocks.com Smith Lake Barge & RipRap 205-221-4229 www.smithlakebargeandriprap.comFlotation Systems Inc. 800-711-1785 www.aluminumboatdocks.com Smith Lake Blind Co. 205-873-1379 [email protected] Paradise Pad 256-287-0445 www.aluminumboatdocks.com Smith Lake Concierge 800-814-3956 www.smithlakeconcierge.comFredricks Outdoor 256-340-8899 www.fredricksoutdoor.com Smith Lake Boat Dock Services 205-275-6400 www.smithlakeboatdockservices.comFreedom Insurance Agency 256-737-0011 www.freedomagency.net Smith Lake Rentals & Sales 800-769-0757 www.smithlakerentals.comFree State Vinyl 256-747-6867 Smith Lake Task Force 205-384-6942Griffin Mobility 256-751-1365 www.griffinmobility.com Speegle’s Marina 256-734-0698 www.speeglesmarina.netGoldiggers Bar & Grill 205-489-2462 Southern Comfort Services 256-287-2019Harbison Coin Laundry/Storage 205-384-4011 Squirrel’s Marina 205-387-8616 www.squirrelsmarina.comHarrison Drug 205-489-8806 TDI Services 800-461-6909 www.tdi.servicesHeritage Pharmacy 256-287-3333 https://stores.healthmart.com/HeritagePharmacy Target Pest Control 256-739-5487 www.targetpestservice.comHidden Shores 256-507-0965 www.discoversmithlake.com The Lake Co. www.thelakeco.comHigh Point Furniture 205-384-5990 www.highpont-furniture.com The SnowBird Retreat 269-967-6233 http://alabama-snowbird.comHilton & Barbara Williams 404-307-7164 The Sunflour Bakery & Eatery 256-841-1970H.O.P.E. www.hopehorses.org Tidwell Carpet & Flooring 256-739-5091Hot Rod’s Fabrications 256-476-2581 [email protected] Trident Marina 256-286-0050 www.tridentmarinas.comHydroHoist ® of Alabama 205-384-6990 www.hydrohoistalabama.com TP Country Club 256-739-0738 www.tpcountryclub.comJeff Roberts & Associates 205-313-9150 www,jeffrobertsandassociates.com Valley Heating & Cooling 256-734-2966Justin Dyar “Mr. Smith Lake” 205-468-6375 www.justindyar.com Vintage West on 2nd. 256-776-9675 www.vintagewesthome.comLakeside Innovation Boat Docks 205-489-6158 www.wahoodocks.com Walker Brothers LTD 256-796-2211 www.bearpenatsmithlake.comLake Shore Inn & Marina 205-489-2462 www.lakeshoreinnandmarina.com Werner’s Trading Company 256-734-5673 www.wernerstradingco.comLamar’s Glass 205-387-’0297 www.lamarsglass.comLeon’s Marine 256-734-3223 White Willow 256-739-7001 Windemere at Smith Lake 256-797-0319 www.windemereatsmithlake.comFollow Us on FACEBOOK78 | smithlakeliving.com
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