["smithlakeliving.com I 51","The kick-off event for Operation ReConnect\u2019s north- ward expansion to Smith Lake was held on Memorial Day Weekend at the Smith Lake Cave House. The ticketed event featured two bands, a pig roast, grilling, and lots of fun. The primary goal of expanding the program to Smith Lake is to serve military families in the central southeastern United States who may not have the ability to travel to the Gulf Coast for a full seven night stay. To find out more, or to get involved in Operation ReConnect please visit www.op- erationreconnect.org\/smithlake. In the words of Operation ReConnect\u2019s founder Ryan Charrier, \u201cIt\u2019s amazing what we can accomplish through collaboration.\u201d g hSmith Lake Livingtm https:\/\/smithlakelandmanagementllc.com 52 I smithlakeliving.com","AVAILABLE FROM SHORELINE PROPERTIES LLC: PREMIER LAKE LOTS, LARGE LAKE PARCELS FOR ESTATES OR DEVELOPMENT, OUTPARCEL LAND TRACTS NEAR SMITH LAKE, & MORE\u2026 smithlakeliving.com I 53","(256) 739-7001 BOAT DOCKS 302 1ST. AVENUE S.E. GALVANTAIZED CULLMAN, AL. 35055 PRIMED & PAINTED ALUMINUM -TREK HOURS: TUESDAY - FRIDAY 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. SATURDAY 10 A.M. - 2 P.M. TREATED WOOD ENCAPSULATED Follow Us On: INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK RE-FLOATING OF DOCKS METAL BUILDINGS AddGasAndGo Watercraft LLC Mobile Repair Service & Sales 256-590-5369 Greg Huffman Owner Certified Mechanic 54 | smithlakeliving.com","smithlakeliving.com I 55","Jeff Sandlin owner of Sandco Fabrication Services, LLC By Rachel Sweigard \t One necessity of life on the lake is a working boat dock, and safe, accessible stairs to get from one\u2019s house to the lake\u2019s edge. There is no shortage of great dock builders in the area, and one of these builders is Jeff Sandlin with Sandco Fabrication Services, LLC. \t Sandlin has been building docks on Smith Lake since he was 14 years old. He remembers that when he was a teenager, he would ride his four-wheeler to a local dock building company near his house and work during the summers. He says that he learned everything he knows from them. Sandlin did not intend to go into the dock building business, but things fell into place Follow the water dock connection by Sandco Fabrication Services,LLC and he has continued doing what he loves. \t Sandlin officially began Sandco Fabrication Services, LLC in 2020 after being the sole proprietor of the business since 2015. He shares that he and his employees are highly skilled in the metal fabrication business, and have many years of experience between them. Sandlin brags about his employees saying that they are some of the best in the business. \t Sandco can handle any job from a simple dock build to a full custom boat house and everything in between. Late- ly, Sandco has built some impressive docks ranging from simple single-slip docks to monstrous double-decker docks. Additionally, they have added roofs to already existing docks to offer sun and weather protection for the owners to enjoy their time on the water. Sandco also specializes in building stairs leading down to the lake. Sandlin says that they can build any stair project that a customer has in mind from an elaborate staircase to a simple handrail to ensure safety getting to the water. For Sandco, the sky is the limit, and if a customer can dream it, they can build it. \t Sandlin shares that prices vary based on project type. Sandco has been fortunate to stay very busy as of late. They are currently booked three to five months in advance. Their turnaround time does decrease a bit in the wintertime. \t Sandco Fabrication Services, LLC has a Facebook page where they often post their finished projects for anyone who would like to see them, and can be reached at ( \t 256) 736-4249. g hSmith Lake Livingtm 56 | smithlakeliving.com","256 - 736 - 4249 Specializing is custom metal walkways & steps\u2026. all types of metal fabrication, and docks. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM\/SANDCOFAB smithlakeliving.com I 57","Don\u2019t Drink and Drive ! Cullman County Sheriff\u2019s Office Sheriff Matt Gentry (256) 734-0342 1910 Beech Avenue S.E. Cullman, AL. 35055 @ Cullman.Sheriff BRING THIS AD IN THE STORE & RECIEVE 256 - 775 - 9675 209 1st. Ave. S.W. Cullman , AL 58 I smithlakeliving.com","smithlakeliving.com I 59","RCBC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES By Rachel Sweigard \t Sixteen years ago, a few members of Ryan\u2019s nament up to the community, they offered a mes- Creek Baptist Church (RCBC) had an idea that has sage from the Bible at the tournament itself. They bloomed into a full-blown ministry. Each year, RCBC soon realized that the logistics of setting up a speak- hosts a fishing tournament at Smith Lake Dam as er system wasn\u2019t conducive to what they wanted to a community outreach opportunity. The only en- achieve. Today, instead of hosting the message at trance fee is a few minutes of the participants\u2019 time the tournament, RCBC hosts this portion of the tour- to listen to a message from God\u2019s Word. nament at the church building on the Sunday prior to \t RCBC began this ministry after a few of the the tournament. Participants register at the church members decided to hold a fishing tournament as on the day of the message. part of an Outdoors Committee. That same small \t RCBC raises money for the prizes and give- competition has now turned into a full tournament aways at the tournament through roughly 30 spon- that is open to the community as an outreach pro- sors who are faithful in giving to the tournament gram. each year. Boyd shares that this tournament is the \t Joe Boyd, one of the tournament organizers, collaborative work of many members of the church explains that once RCBC started opening the tour- as well as their community sponsors. Continued on Page 66 60 | smithlakeliving.com","Williams Hardware & Building Supply 205 - 387 - 1977 \u2022 Lumber \u2022 Electrical \u2022 Plumbing \u2022 Paint \u2022 Masonry Visit us for all your Hareware Needs ! \u201c Your Friendly Neighborhood Hardware Store in Arley Alabama \u201d 5059 County Road 41 - Arley, AL. 35541 SIPSEY RIVER RV PARK Contact Billy Williams \u201c Located just north of Duncan Bridge - Arley Area. \u201d 256 - 507 - 0965 smithlakeliving.com I 61","fish tails on SMITH LAKE ALL ABOUT BOATING MIRRORS NOTE: Shoreline Management \t Boats Plan submitted by APC to FERC on December 2018 stated Smith Lake is \t Be equipped with a wide-angle rearview mirror. The size of the approximately 713.2 miles of shore- mirror must be at least 500 square centimeters (78 square inches) and line. SOURCE: FERC E-LIBRARY have a field of vision of at least 170 degrees. WAKEBOARD \/ WAKESURFACING BILL \t Personal Watercraft PASSSED 2023 AL. LEGISLATURE SESSION \t All personal watercraft used for towing any person shall be AL. HB 422 \u2013 Passed Limits wakerboarding \/ wake- equipped with rearview mirrors. The mirrors must contain a minimum surfacing on Lewis Smith Lake viewing area size of ten (10) square inches. Each mirror must have a By : Wadsworth, Woods, Harbison minimum viewing area height of 2.5 inches and a minimum viewing area width of 4 inches. The mirrors must be attached or mounted on both the Here are two conditions in the bill that places right and left sides of the personal watercraft so as to provide the maxi- limits: mum rearward observation by the operator. Mirrors shall not be mount- ed on the steering mechanism of the personal watercraft. The minimum On any portion of the impounded wa- combined viewing area of both mirrors shall be twenty (20) square ters where the width of the portion is less inches. NOTE: An observer is not accepted in lieu of mirrors. (Violation than 400 feet. results in a minimum $100 fine plus court costs.) Within 200 feet from any shoreline, dock, pier, boathouse, or other structure located on the impounded waters. SOURCE: ALEA MARINE POLICE SOURCE: https:\/\/alison.legislature.state.al.us\/ 62 | smithlakeliving.com","smithlakeliving.com I 63","Smith Lake Living365 \u2122 ANNUAL BOATIN\u2019 & BOILIN\u2019\u00a9 TRIDENT MARINA RYAN CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH MENS GROUP BUILDS WHEELCHAIR RAMP FOR SENIOR CITIZEN ANNUAL CAR SHOW - SMITH LAKE PARK DUNCAN BRIDGE MARINA INTEGRITY REAL ESTATE FOOD TRAILER 64 I smithlakeliving.com","smithlakeliving.com I 65","Boyd explains that RCBC plans to continue to host the yearly fishing tournament as long as the outreach remains successful. He states that this year, four people gave their lives to Christ at the worship portion of the tournament. RCBC also hosts a kids fishing tournament as part of their yearly Vacation Bible School, which is typically held in June or July. \t This tournament is typically held in late April or early May, but Boyd says that next year\u2019s date has not yet been decided. For more information about next year\u2019s fishing tournament as well as other events that RCBC hosts, check out their Facebook page or website at www.ryanscreek- baptistchurch.com. g hSmith Lake Livingtm Joan Cruce presented a bible, honoring late hus- band Michael Cruce for support of RCBC fishing tournament. TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS Boat Check-In PREPARE FOR WEIGH- IN 66 | smithlakeliving.com","smithlakeliving.com I 67","68 | smithlakeliving.com","smithlakeliving.com I 69","LEAN INTO THE LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER. Do just a little less and make a difference. When it comes to saving energy in the summertime, we\u2019ve got one top tip: don\u2019t underestimate the power of little changes. From turning off unnecessary lights to bumping your thermostat up just a degree or two, it\u2019s the small things that can make a big difference. Find more energy-saving tips at alabamapower.com\/lazysummer. \u00a9 2023 Alabama Power Company 70 I smithlakeliving.com","Smithlakeliving.com I 71","Smith Lake is home to countless interesting people from all parts of the country and the world. Some people are \u201clifers\u201d who moved away and then came back while others are transplants who fell in love with the area and made it their home. Joe and Pat Batton, of the Winston County portion of the lake, fall into the latter category. \t The Battons are natives of Houston, Texas and married in 1965. Shortly after marrying, they visited Pat\u2019s aunt and uncle who had just moved to Smith Lake not long after it was first created. They immediately fell in love with the lake, its serenity, and its people, though few at the time. Joe was in the US Navy and worked in the then up-and-coming electronics sector while Pat took on secretarial work before becoming a homemaker once they had children. Pat also worked for Drummond Coal once they moved to Alabama in the mid-1990s. Joe\u2019s work took them around the world to places such as Japan and Indonesia\u2014places that most people only see on television and read about in books. The company eventually moved him back to the United States with the Battons living in cities such as Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Crystal Lake, Illinois. Joe says that around 1995 he convinced his boss to allow him to work remotely\u2014some- thing that wasn\u2019t nearly as common as it is now\u2014and he continued that schedule until his retirement in 2001. It was around this time that the Battons made Smith Lake their home and began to grow roots in the area. 72 I smithlakeliving.com","PAT & JOE BATTON By Rachel Sweigard \t Joe says that he has always been very active, so his retirement did not slow him down. A few years prior to Joe retiring, the Battons purchased property on Smith Lake after falling in love with the area after that first visit in the mid-1960s. Since they were now established in the area, Joe began working with various associations in his community. He was involved with the Smith Lake Civic Association for many years, which serves the lake area as a whole. He was also involved with Dismal Lake Homeowners\u2019 Association. Before he knew it, he was on the board of the Curry Fire Department and was chairman of the board for five years. As he got older, he says that he began to back away from some of these engagements, but he is still part of the neighborhood home- owners\u2019 association and the fire department. Joe says that one of the things that blew him away about the lake community is how willing they were to jump in and help. He says that seeing young people volunteer with the fire department and get out of bed in the middle of the night to help their neighbors on a volunteer basis made him want to get involved and stay involved with this area. \t When the Battons moved to Smith Lake in the mid-1990s, they say that they never dreamed it would be as popular as it is now since they were some of the only people living on that portion of the lake at the time. Joe says that they have watched the lake explode before their eyes as there are whole subdivisions and neighbor- Continued on Page 75 smithlakeliving.com I 73","Events FOR MORE INFORMATION Church on Smith Lake CONTACT 256.595.9073 Smith Lake RV Resort 800 County Road 202, Crane Hill 9 A.M. Every Sunday Rock Creek Mission 8:30 A.M. For more info: 205-914-6586 Worship on the Water Dogwood Lane Pavilion 8;00 A.M. SMITH LAKE PARK FIREWORKS FESTIVAL JULY 4, 2023J 256-734-9157 SIPSEY ENTERTAINMENT.COM LOONEY\u2019S TAVERN ENTERTAINMENT CENTER www.sipseyentertainment.com LOG ON TO OUR WEBSITES.... WWW.LAKEWIDE.ORG SMITH LAKE INFO & MAGAZINE DIGITAL COPIES Leave No Mark\u2122 \t www.smithlakeliving.com www.leavenomark.com \t www.smithlakemagazine.com www.smithlakemag.com \t www.smithlakesports.com \t www.seesmithlake.com\t \t www.smihlakelifestyles.com \t www.boatingsmithlake.com \t www.smithlaketshirt.com www.smithlakeparadise.com www.smithlaketv.com www.smithlakeradio.com www.smithlakephotos.com www.smithlakepics.com www.alabamafreshwatercoast.com www.cullmanlifestyles.com www.smithlakefinance.com 74 | smithlakeliving.com","hoods today that were forests when they first moved here. They initially bought the property and designed their home to be a weekend retreat, but then it morphed into something greater. The Battons say that they have always liked log homes and fell in love with the design while they lived in Illinois. Joe says that log homes are either for you or they\u2019re not and either is okay with him! The Battons\u2019 home is crafted from 10-inch diameter Douglass Fir and features the hallmark round log design inside and out\u2014there is very little drywall in their home because they loved the traditional log cabin de- sign. Their home is two stories and 4000 square feet and each room has a view of the lake except for one bathroom. The home currently has three bedrooms\u2014Pat says technically four if Joe hadn\u2019t turned one of them into a shop. \t When asked what their favorite part of the lake is, the Battons say that the absolute beauty of the lake is what drew them here and has kept them here for so many years. They also add that the water clarity is unrivaled, but that when they initially visited here it was even more clear since the population was so much lower at the time. Joe adds that the water was so clear when they first moved here that they simply filtered the lake water for their drinking water as city water was not available in the area at the time. \t Pat and Joe Batton are integral to their neighbors and the community as a whole due to their involvement in various organizations. Debbie Bono, one of the Battons\u2019 neighbors says that the couple is the \u201cgo-to\u201d people in the neighborhood for everything since they have been here for so long and actively work to welcome new homeowners in the neighborhood. If it wasn\u2019t for dedicated people such as the Battons, the Smith Lake community would not be what it is today. g hSmith Lake Livingtm smithlakeliving.com I 75","76 | smithlakeliving.com","smithlakeliving.com I 77","Advertiser Index Add Gas and Go- PWC Repairs\t 256-590-5369 www.addgasandgowatercraft.com Lake Shore Inn & Marina 205-489-2462 www.lakeshoreinnandmarina.com A&K Siding & Gutters\t 256-338-0711 facebook.com\/a&ksidingandgutters Lamar\u2019s Glass \t\t 205-387-\u20190297 www.lamarsglass.com Alabama Power Company\t\t www.alabamanpower.com\/lazysummer Leon\u2019s Marine \t\t 256-734-3223 Arrowhead RV Park 256-747-2519 facebook.com\/arrowheadrvparksmithlake Lock Dry Aluminum Decking\t 256-287-0445 www.aluminumboatdocks.com Arrowhead Bar & Grill 256-727-5200 facebook.com\/arrowheadbar&grill Lynn Layton Auto Dealerships 256-353-8150 www.lynnlayton.com Bank of Walker County\t 205-295-0033 www.bankofwalkercounty.com Monk Flooring & Construction\t 256-734-4153 BankFirst Mortgage 256-339-8424 www.bankfirst.mortgage\/bchaffin Nelems Marine\t\t 205-221-3072 www.nelems-marine.com B & H Tree Service 256-287-1446 Oden Glass\t\t 256-734-2800 BMS Marine\t\t 256-838-2223 www.smithlakedockrepair.com Pro Turf Lawn & Landscape 205-300-8681 proturflawn&landcsape Boat Lifts of Alabama\t\t 256-636-2922 www.boatliftsofalabama.com Rambo Marine 256-594-8573 www.rambomarine.com Classic Closets 205-486-9023 www.classicclosets.net Riverpeak Partners of Raymond James 205-874-1804 facebook.com\/riverpeakpartners Centennial Homes\t\t 205-965-3631 www.centennialhomesllc.com Riverside Fly Shop\t\t 256-287-9582 www.riversideflyshop.com Cornerstone Construction\t 205-384-9990 www.webuildsmithlake.com Russell Marine 256-841-6365 www.russellmarine.net Country Mall Convenience Store\t 256-747-6235 S & S Foods\t\t 256-287-2663 www.ssfoods.net Crane Hill Food Mart\t\t 256-747-2082 www.facebook.com\/ Sanco Fabrication Services 256-736-4249 facebook.com\/sancofab Cullman County Sheriff\u2019s Office 256-734-0342 www.cullmansheriff.org Sharon Miller- ReMax Platinum 256-747-2613 www.smithlakehomes.net Culllman Furniture Market\t 256-841-6754 www.cullmanfurnituremarket.com Shoreline Properties LLC \t 256-507-0965 www.shorelinedevelopments.com Cullman Overhead Door & Glass\t 256-734-0792 www.cullmanglass.com ShowcaseLighting Floors & More 205-387-0238 www.showcarelightingfloorsandmore.com Diana Majerik\t\t 205-229-8054 www.lakehomes.com Sipsey River RV Park\t\t 256-507-0965 Duncan Bridge Marina & RV 205-387-1208 www.duncanbridgemarina.com Smith Lake Air Park 256-507-0965 www.discoversmithlake.com Duskin Point Marina\t 205-384-6942 www.duskinpointmarina.com Smith Lake Barge & RipRap 205-221-4229 www.smithlakebargeandriprap.com Elite RV & Boat Storage 256-734-2382 Smith Lake Blind Co.\t\t 205-873-1379 [email protected] Fabri Tech Inc Boat Docks 256-385-2336 www.fabritechboatdocks.com Smith Lake Cave\t\t\t www.smithlakecave.com\/events Flotation Systems Inc.\t 800-711-1785 www.aluminumboatdocks.com Smith Lake Land Management 256-615-3931 www.smithlakelandmanagementllc.com FSI-Accessories\t\t 256-287-0445 www.aluminumboatdocks.com Smith Lake Rentals & Sales 800-769-0757 www.smithlakerentalsandsales.com Fredricks Outdoor 256-340-8899 www.fredricksoutdoor.com Smith Lake RV & Cabin Resort 256-709-1820 www.smithlakeresort.com Freedom Insurance Agency 256-737-0011 www.freedomagency.net Speegle\u2019s Marina\t\t 256-734-0698 www.speeglesmarina.net The SnowBird Retreat 269-967-6233 http:\/\/alabama-snowbird.com Free State Vinyl\t 256-747-6867 Goldiggers Bar & Grill 205-489-2462 Tesha Brewer - State Farm 256-734-4645 [email protected] Harbison Coin Laundry\/Storage 205-388-1320 The Touchless Covers of Alabama\t 256-794-1443 www.touchlesscover.com Harrison Drug \t 205-489-8806 Tow Boat U.S. 256-385-1966 www.towboatuslewissmithlake.com Heritage Pharmacy\t 256-287-3333 https:\/\/stores.healthmart.com\/HeritagePharmacy Trident Marina 256-286-0050 www.tridentmarinas.com H F Home\t\t 205-259-7140 www,hfhomemaintanence.com TruBlu Pros\t\t 256-736-3901 www.trublupros.com High Point Furniture\t 205-384-5990 www.highpont-furniture.com Valley Heating & Cooling\t 256-734-2966 Vaughn Sparks 205-313-9150 HydroHoist \u00ae of Alabama 205-384-6990 www.hydrohoistalabama.com Vintage West Outdoors 256-775-9675 www.mavencrosswealth.com Walker Brothers LTD\t 256-796-2211 www.bearpenatsmithlake.com Integrity Real Estate\t 256-735-4240 www.teemupwithintegrity.com White Willow\t\t 256-739-7001 Jeff Roberts MavenCrossWealthAdvisors 205-313-9150 www.mavencrosswealth.com Justin Dyar \u201c Mr. Smith Lake \u201d 205-468-6375 www.justindyar.com Williams Hardware 205-387-1977 Follow Us on FACEBOOK ~ SMIITH LAKE LIVING APP ~ 78 | smithlakeliving.com","smithlakeliving.com I 79","Smith Lake www.smithlakeliving.com"]
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