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Spring 4 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

V O L U M E

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I S S U E

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Women of Wedowee

Creativity, Provision, Community, and Soul Learning the Heart of Lake Wedowee . . 9 Crystal Barnes Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Shasta Jarrett. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Debbie Brown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Wendy Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Kylee Bain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Jessica Williams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Leisel Caldwell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Kelly Caldwell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Kim Hicks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Tracy Berry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Michelle Reno. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Kim Frandsen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Ramonda Crouch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Amber Conger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Brittany Olvey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Brook Bayliss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Beverly Boswell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Ashley Blakenship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 A Wonderful Life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Woman of Grace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Food

A Flatbread for the Family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bellini Bar Recipe for Mother’s Day Brunch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Straightforward Weekend Breakfast. . Sesame Ginger Seared Tuna Steaks . . . .

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Lake Life

Cedar Waxing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Reader Photos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Lake Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 5

L E T T E R

F R O M

T H E

“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” Maya Angelou

E D I T O R

There are so many women that have built me into the woman that I am. Teachers, family, friends, mentors, colleagues, heroes and even a competitor or two have molded me into the independent, passionate, loyal, kick ass business owner that you see today. It hasn’t always been easy and there are times where we all just want to go to bed, but we still rise and grind every day. It’s how I was built and that’s why we wanted to honor the women that are getting it DONE in Wedowee. It’s so impressive for a town our size to have the number of women-owned businesses that we do. We have been traveling all over the state of Alabama and a big reason that Wedowee is becoming a destination is because of the efforts, hospitality and downright kindness that women are showing to our visitors and friends. "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” The fabulous Dr. Maya Angelou once said this and boy does it resonate in the tourism industry. But, it’s a big life lesson as well. Dr. Angelou spoke her truth in life and her words are just as inspirational today. To be honest it was difficult to narrow it down to just one quote from the amazing poet and author. So instead, I chose six! (Hey, I’m the editor… I can do those kind of things.) “I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass.”

The 16 other women featured in this issue are inspiring for what they have done in Wedowee. Several have created their own space like we did 15 years ago. Before February of 2008 there was not a magazine dedicated to life on Lake Wedowee. Leisel Caldwell (or I like to call her mama) knew we needed it, so we set out to create it! The first issue came out a month before my 30th birthday and we haven’t looked back… In fact we have grown and expanded first with Southern Holiday Life and now with Alabama Small Towns and Downtowns. “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it.” I know there are dozens more women that could have been included in this issue, and don’t worry we will do this again in the years to come. We chose these 16 women to join us in this issue because they are business owners and they have supported us in our journey. They celebrate our successes, just like we do theirs. We may not always see eye to eye but Dr. Angelou has a few thoughts on that as well. “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.” And if that doesn’t work… “It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.”

Enjoy Life!

Kelly

O N

T H E

C O V E R

Who's Ready for Lake Season?

Allyson Morgan submitted this fun picture of Molly Morgan an obvious "Woman of Wedowee" in training. If you would like to submit a photo to Lake Wedowee Life, please email news@ lakewedoweelife.com

6 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

S T A F F GENERAL MANAGER

Leisel Caldwell [email protected] EDITOR IN CHIEF

Kelly Caldwell [email protected] PHOTOGRAPHER/ OFFICE MANAGER

Tammy Lovvorn [email protected] ADVERTISING MANAGER

Yay!

it's almost ! n o s a e s lake

Lavoy Caldwell [email protected] GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Kristy Askew C O N T R I B U T O R S

Ashley Butler Tracy Carpenter Charley Norton Maria Smith Angie Stryker

256.357.4557 877.959. LAKE (5253) 104 West Broad Street Wedowee, Alabama w w w. L a k e We d o w e e L i f e . c o m w w w. w e d o m e d i a . u s

Lake Wedowee Life is published six

times a year by parent company WEDO Media Inc., which also produces Southern Holiday Life magazine and Alabama Small Towns & Downtowns. All content in the publication is protected by United States copyright law and many not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or otherwise published without the prior written permission of WEDO Media Inc. © 2008-2023 WEDO Media Inc.

To stay in the know and what's happening around the lake this summer, pick up the latest copy of the Lake Wedowee Life magazine and follow us on Facebook

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Lake Wedowee's Got Talent On the streets May 12

8 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

Creativity, Provision, Community, and Soul

Learning the Heart of Lake Wedowee B Y

A N G I E

S T R Y K E R

LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 9

What do you do in Wedowee if you need a:

Part time job, where you will be cared for, Full time job, where you will be developed, Lovely space to sell your artisan goods, Sustainable place to sell your services, Dream home to live, on the water or off, Beautiful place to stay, Homemade cookie, World class latte, Bag of fresh roasted coffee, Perfect poured candle, Pretty place to hold an event, Night of joy and live music, Grandma’s recipe kind of cake, Glass of locally sourced wine, Pint of hand crafted beer, Place to go to feel beautiful with tans, Customized hair care with a side of therapy, Award winning ice cream, Hearty southern meal to take home and serve or go out with friends, Barbecue for the day on the lake, Place for your fur baby to stay, play and be groomed, Idea for sightseeing small towns in Alabama, Eye catching way to advertise and tell your business story? After interviewing the women for this issue, we can definitively say: the heart of Lake Wedowee isn’t in the water. It’s the women business owners that are making things happen. The women featured represent 12 businesses in our community and employed or bought services from nearly 300 people and vendors in 2022. In a town with 800 people in the city limits and 22,000 in the county, that’s quite impressive. Not only are they providing employment opportunities which equals economic development in our wonderful community, they are caring for it too. They initiate community outreaches like blood drives, 10 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

scavenger hunts, city art projects and give back days, all while volunteering in positions of leadership in groups like Kiwanis and United Way. None of them were willing to brag on themselves, we had to pull this out of them! They humbly get up and go to work and give and give all day, only to go out and give in the community and then go home and give and give some more to spouses, ailing parents, to children and to grandchildren. Each of them laughed at the idea of “unwinding” and were finally able to say, yes, they do take 20 minutes alone, here and there, to take in the great beauty of our community - even if it’s on the way to the next place they have to be. The women of Wedowee are an under-appreciated force of love, creativity, grit and behind the scenes provision for our community. It was an honor to spend time with each of them and hear their stories. Next time you meet one of them, ask them about their “why” for serving this amazing community and you will be moved to tears. Then make sure to say, “thank you.”  Thank you, ladies, for making Wedowee what it is. For your hustle. For your humility. For your love for us and our community. We may not say it enough, but thank you.

Crystal Barnes Key Owner of Hunter Bend Realty – Wedowee and Lineville

Crystal grew up in Woodstock, Georgia and partially in Wedowee since the age of 10.

Crystal, what’s special to you about this community? The people. The sense of a small community. I would never go back to Woodstock. That small town feel, I feel safe here. I don’t worry when I work late by myself or anything like that. What’s your favorite thing to do in the area? And/or the best kept secret in Wedowee?

subdivision — laying sod and helping him build decks and everything in between. Then, I would get cleaned up for an open house. That was my first taste. His realtors at the time were a team of ladies and they were retiring. He spoke into me and said that I’d be good at it and that I should do real estate. That was 23 years ago.  What do you love about owning your own business? 

The liberty to make decisions and get feedback from everyone. I value that from my people - what direction we go with My personal favorite thing to do is go fishing. I grew up fishing, marketing or whatever it may be. I don’t have to ask permission my whole family enjoys fishing. My favorite fishing spot is to do certain things. I’ve always said no drama. Everyone knows living on the little Tallapoosa River, that’s where I enjoy fishing.  how I feel about that.  Our communication stays open, we talk about things. I have a lake-day every summer. Our Christmas How many new jobs did you create in the local economy in 2022?  parties are always a lot of fun. They feel cared for, they can call 14 + local contractors that I hired for some of my remodels in town. me for anything, and they know that. It can be rare to find a woman-owned real estate company. I was 31 when I bought it, How do you unwind from work?  Paige was 21. When it was offered, I knew other people were I go out on the lake, I go to the winery. I hang out with my animals wanting to buy it and I wanted to be in Wedowee, so I went for it! I have no regrets, I support my family, I put my son through and I hang out with my husband Chad and my son Syon. college. I feel like I’ve helped a lot of people. When customers What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business?  send you flowers to say thank you that says a lot. I put a lot of extra touches into the business.  I got into real estate in the year 2000, because my dad was a homebuilder. It was not what I thought I would do, I wanted Who supports you the most as a woman in business?  to be a veterinarian. I applied to Auburn, got accepted, My dad Kenneth Barnes. He’s also the proudest. He works and decided to stay in Kennesaw. I would work at my dad’s around the lake building seawalls so if you meet him, he’ll LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 11

probably tell you about me.

we were in a recession. That took a lot of persistence. It also has molded me into who I am, being so driven. I was told that I was crazy, everyone was getting out of the business but I just stuck to it. Persistence, don’t give up. 

Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business?  I bought Hunter Bend Realty in 2009. Paige Huey worked for me and she and I would work until past dark a lot. She helped What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  me a lot and then she evolved into my best friend. She’s a nurse.  The expansion into Lineville was a really big milestone. The But she was the secretary for us while going to school. success that both offices have shown this year is exciting. We have a good team amongst both offices. Everyone works well What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this together. I’m excited about continued growth and success.  community?  Persistence is key. And don’t give up. When I first bought this,

call for an appointment today!

Beverley Boswell

Master Cosmetologist/ Color Specialist

1469 South Main St, #4 | Wedowee, AL 678-858-2456 (text or call) 256-357-2860 Salon

Men

Women

Children

LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 13

Shasta Jarrett Co-Owner of The Crow’s Nest with Debi Brown

Shasta grew up right here in Wedowee. She went to school in Woodland.

Who supports you the most as a woman in business? 

Shasta, what’s special to you about this community?

Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business? 

You know most everybody, and you know that everyone is here for each other, it’s like a big family.  What’s your favorite thing to do in the area? Thursday night at the winery.  How many new jobs did the Crow’s Nest create in the local economy in 2022?  20+ employees and local vendors. How do you unwind from work? 

Debi.

With mother having her own flower business, I was around it so much. I did her displays and things, so everything I learned there I was able to put into practice here. The accounting degree probably helped some as well! What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community?  Find what’s different, not just like someone else two door’s down. Be you, be different.

With family, being together. Some days I don't mind driving What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  somewhere else because it’s time in the car and then I call Debi!  Seeing what else is out there that we can incorporate into the What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business?  store. We’d love to grow our space.  Several people came to me wanting something like this in town. Mom (Elaine) had the building, and I just made it happen. A year later, from November to April, Deb showed up and brought some things in and then we started doing everything as a partnership. It’s evolved from there. It started in 2014. What do you love about owning your own business?  I like doing the displays, Debi says I have a natural talent for them. People from all over know about the Crow’s Nest, I love that.  14 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

What’s the best tip or trick for working together? Don’t take anything to heart. Talk on the phone and/or in person, instead of text.

Debi Brown Co-Owner of The Crow’s Nest with Shasta Jarrett

Debi grew up in Lagrange, Georgia. She’s been in Wedowee since 1998.

Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business? 

Debi, what’s special to you about this community?

I learned a lot about displays from Shasta. We just get in there and figure it out. We just do it. I do have a business background which helped.

It feels like home here. It tends to become family. What’s your favorite thing to do in the area?

What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community? 

I have young grandchildren so we watch a lot of sports. We like to go out on the lake too. And the best kept secret in the Find your niche. Find your uniqueness. Also, get involved in Wedowee area? Not the lake! The shops… if you are just going the community. Meet your local people and make connections. to the lake, then you miss the full experience of the downtown.  Word of mouth in a small town can make you or break you.  How many new jobs did you create in the local economy in 2022?  What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  20+ employees and local vendors. It’s amazing how many artisans Lake season, we always anticipate that. Seeing what new market we have around here! trends there are, and hopefully growth. We’ve seen growth every year. I like meeting new customers. It’s amazing where How do you unwind from work?  people come from! It’s family time for me. For Shasta unwinding is probably going What’s the best tip or trick for working together? home and looking at new goods to sell! What do you love about owning your own business?  There is just a pride you take in it when it’s yours. I enjoy seeing how it has evolved. We had some humble beginnings and it has come a long way. The joy of seeing it grow.

Count to 10. Our differences are what makes it work. Look at each other’s perspective and try to mesh the best you can.

Who supports you the most as a woman in business?  We support each other. That’s the advantage of having a partnership. We feed off of each other really well and we have different perspectives on things. LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 15

Wendy Moore Owner of The Peaceful Porch, The Peaceful Porch Candle Co, and The Peaceful Porch Event Center

Wendy grew up in Smith Station, Alabama and has been in Wedowee since 2009. Wendy, what’s special to you about this community? The small town feel. Our community comes together when it needs to, we take care of each other.  What’s your favorite thing to do in the area? And/or the best kept secret in Wedowee? Being on the lake. The peacefulness of the lake, you decompress on the way there! Best kept secret in the Wedowee area? The history. The town has been here a very long time and somehow it has survived. Wedowee could have gone away many times.   How many new jobs did the Peaceful Porch create in the local economy in 2022?  36+ employees and local vendors in the store.  How do you unwind from work?  I work 24/7. Ultimately we enjoy it.  

What do you love about owning your own business?  Freedom, flexibility. I love being able to offer this to Kylee and to me. I never miss things at my kids' school. Being a wife, a mom and having a career is a lot to manage. Here I have the freedom to be where I need to be when I need to be there. I used to be in the corporate world and it was just work. Now, there are always challenges so I have to remind myself that at the end of the day no matter what I'm facing I'm still so much better off in my own business. Who supports you the most as a woman in business?  God. I have to give it to Him daily. If I let him be the leader and let him run my show, then the show goes ok. Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business? 

God. That's how we founded our company. We started our What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business?  company in our kitchen with a 5 lb. bag of wax and one pot. I had 5 kids still in high school and junior high. God supported To help the community, honestly. To be able to help others in us as we started from scratch. I thought I was doing something need. To have a little extra money to be able to do that is why big when I first ordered 12 jars back in 2017. Then we had our we started the business. And jobs here are so limited, there is first order of 4,000 candles and we said yes without having any not much to choose from. We love helping others in need by of the supplies needed. I drove overnight to get to Ohio in time providing that opportunity. 16 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

to get that order in. I was still teaching when that happened. We’ve been going ever since. The next year I had to decide if I was going to stay and teach or do candles full time. I decided to resign in 2018 and go for it. I could only do all that with God. What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community?  Don't forget why you started in the first place. That's what's going to ground you and bring you back every time. You can forget so easily. What are you most excited about in your business in 2023? 

customers more. I’m going to be at home more, instead of twenty something shows, I’m going to 8 this year. I’ll be focusing locally.  There are so many improvements that we can make right here. We want people to have the best shopping experience and the best candle products. What’s the best tip or trick for working together? It's tough working with family.  Think about their strengths and weaknesses and how they will react. Know their personality. I know what they like, so I try to provide little prizes for them regularly, to recognize all their hard work.

I feel like 2023 we are going to focus on serving our existing

How do you unwind from work?  Even when you think you aren't "at work" there's always a text or a call or something. Especially with us working together. So I’m always at work.

Kylee Bain Owner of The Peaceful Porch Tanning Studio

What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business?  To make women feel good about themselves. We have two tanning beds, plus spray tanning. What do you love about owning your own business?   Freedom, flexibility.  Who supports you the most as a woman in business?   Mom. What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community?  Follow your path. Don't let anyone steer you away from what you are doing. I'm a planner and an organizer. If I get off of my plan then I'm no good.  What are you most excited about in your business in 2023? 

Kylee grew up right here in Wedowee. Kylee, what’s special to you about this community? Everyone's close. If you need anything you know you can go to anyone in town. We watch after each other. What’s your favorite thing to do in the area? The events that Wedowee hosts. Everyone comes together in town, eating in town, shopping in town. I love that.

My part is still very new so I'm trying to figure it out. Mom says I’m really good at noticing what our customers used to love that we don't sell anymore, so I’m trying to bring some things back. What’s the best tip or trick for working together? In disagreement, take a step away, a breather. Calm down and you’ll figure it out. You have a common goal – the best product, the best customer service – so build on that and work it out.

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decided we wanted to retire here. I saw the building for sale. We were able to lease it until we saw the business was successful. Then we decided one year in to go ahead and sell and relocate.

Jessica Williams Owner of First Light Coffee Shop and Roasters

What’s your favorite thing to do in the area? And/or the best kept secret in Wedowee? We are very involved in the community. We are in Kiwanis, we try to do a lot of things for the community. Our kids are involved in the school here. We try to give back. In our free time, we are on the lake, fishing, hiking at Cheaha, or spending time in nature. We are still exploring .. there is so much that we haven’t seen!  The Kiwanis park is the best kept secret – It really is a great treasure. It needs a little bit of love but we are trying to give it a facelift. Ballfield, pavilions, creek that runs through it, trails. It’s a beautiful area.  We are working on grants for the playground there. We would love to have a sidewalk there from town. We want to make the park a place where families can come and hang out.  How many new jobs did you create in the local economy in 2022?  6, some part time, some full. How do you unwind from work? 

Jessica grew up in Oklahoma and Georgia and has been Go home, and oh wait, I have children. It sounds like a good coming to Wedowee since she was a teen. idea... I have to cook for the family!

Jessica, what’s special to you about this community? What brought us here was the lake. With getting older, and having young kids, and living in downtown Newnan, we wanted to slow down. I had lots of wonderful memories here playing on the water. We started coming back to visit and

I go out on my deck, sit with my tall glass of water. I get on Pinterest and look up scripture quotes or vocabulary, or beautiful paint colors. Long enough to drink my glass of water.  Sundays are family days on the boat and we go out there for bible study. We look forward to that. LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 19

20 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business?  I have always wanted to have a coffee shop. When I was working in the dental field, this was my daydream. My dad passed away in 2016. My mom purchased a tiny home at Sunset Point. We came over to work at her place and fish and hang out. While we were here… we saw the building for sale. I was like, “wouldn’t it be cool to have a little coffee shop there?” My husband Shawn wasn’t interested. But we went and saw the building and started dreaming about it. Shawn was on leave for Covid with Delta so he was able to do some renovation. We leased in February 2020, opened July 1.  What do you love about owning your own business?  The creativity. I get to execute ideas left and right. Some ideas work, some don’t. I love meeting new people, visitors or people passing through. Seeing people over and over again. Hearing the stories. Everyone is happy in a coffee shop! Being your own boss, you get back what you put in. If you are good to your people, they are good to you. If you work hard and are doing good, that’s coming back to you. I’m just doing what I love. Who supports you the most as a woman in business?  My hubby, Shawn. I’m the creative one. He’s the analytical one. He’s able to correctly implement my ideas. Anything that helps me be myself, he supports. This shop wouldn’t exist without him executing.  Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business?  We took our nest egg and invested it into doing this. I have a supportive family. My mom, brother and his wife, they all contributed in some way to help work. We would rather go for it and fail than be old and wish we had done it.  What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community?  “Don’t quit your daydream.” If it is something you are passionate about - don’t toss it out the window. I was a single mom for a while and I did what I had to do to make it work. You never know when the opportunity comes along, and it can come as a small one; it doesn't have to be the big thing all at once. Surround yourself with the people who will be good and honest and give you good advice and criticism and feedback. You have to have a team for all that wisdom. You can’t do it alone. You gotta have a good team. Don’t give up. What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  Some exciting things are coming. We are hoping to extend our hours, hoping to continue to grow and be involved in the community in the different things and ways to give back. 

Leisel Caldwell

Co-Owner of WEDO Media Inc., which publishes Lake Wedowee Life, Southern Holiday Life, and Alabama Small Towns and Downtowns magazines. She started the company with her husband and daughter in 2008.

What do you love about owning your own business?  I would never have the relationship I have with Kelly if we didn’t have this business.  Leisel grew up in Roanoke, Alabama and has been in Wedowee for 18 years. Leisel, what’s special to you about this community? Nothing better than enjoying a day on the lake, but that's just part of what makes this community special. The other part is our thriving small town, and the people who love what we have here. There is a very cool vibe in Wedowee with our mostly owned and operated Mom and Pop businesses. I love Wedowee for lots of reasons, it's familiar and comfortable and I feel safe, which is a big deal in this world now. What’s your favorite thing to do in the area? Work. Sit on the porch and enjoy the outdoors. The best kept secret? It’s like stepping back in time. We still have a slower pace than your typical city or recreational area.  How do you unwind from work?  Being on the porch or sitting on the dock with music. The smell of the outdoors – there is just something about it. 

Who supports you the most as a woman in business?  We support each other. And the women business owners here, we all support each other. Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business?  My real estate background. I took a lot of sales training and real estate training. And I am a dreamer.  I’m an idea person. It’s fun to see your idea come to life too. What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community?  You need to think it through. You need to look beyond a year to see how it shakes out. If you don’t, it won’t last. It's the task oriented work that’s important. You also have to have a passion for it. What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  Growing our Alabama Small Towns and Downtowns magazine. 

What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business?  What’s the best tip or trick for working together? We saw such a need to promote the area when we were in real We are never down at the same time. So you pick each other up, estate. And the community saw the need as well, and bought have patience. Laugh and have fun. in. 22 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

Kelly Caldwell

Co-Owner of WEDO Media Inc., which publishes Lake Wedowee Life, Southern Holiday Life, and Alabama Small Towns and Downtowns magazines. She started the company with her mom and dad in 2008.

Kelly also grew up in Roanoke but has lived in Wedowee  full time since 2005.  Kelly, what’s special to you about this community? It’s home. I moved back to Randolph County in late 2005, after 10 years away doing other things like college and newspaper life. I chose to move to Wedowee over my hometown, and I’ve been here ever since. It's very diverse, we have so much for a small town because of the lake. What’s your favorite thing to do in the area? And/or the best kept secret in Wedowee? I love lake season. This community comes alive and thrives in lake season. That’s when it gets its heartbeat back. The best kept secret? The people. The people are what makes this community what it is. The people have fallen in love with this area for different reasons but the people are what will push this community forward. How many new jobs did the business create in the local economy in 2022?  5. How do you unwind from work?  Music, I love music. The vinyl record collection that I love. I have a porch that has a water view. And there is a cold drink in my hand. I love seeing the water and hearing the music. I’m a

water baby, and the water soothes me. And live music, it feeds my soul. What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business?  My mama made me. It was completely mama’s idea. I have that journalism/PR background. I got burned out on the daily newspaper grind. She invited me back to do real estate but she always had it in the back of her mind to do the magazine. I told her I'd give her 2 years in real estate. Two years was up almost 16 years ago. The magazine celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. She knew that Lake Wedowee wasn’t being promoted as it needed to be at the time. And we created a vehicle to promote it. It was her idea and we made it happen. My dad sold the first magazine ads because people knew it was needed and they believed in us! (That, or  he wouldn’t take no for answer.) Aunt Lynda kept the checkbook. I have fond memories of her as an LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 23

adult because of that working relationship. She loved helping we are today.  us …and protecting mama. And Mary Lee, my younger sister,  loves dabbling and showing off her creativity for the magazine, What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community?  this is an outlet for her, as well.  Tough skin is a must. If someone tells you no, you tell them What do you love about owning your own business?  to hide and watch. Make believers out of your doubters. But I can come to work in my pajamas and on deadline days I do. probably the most crucial advice…you can’t hire it out. Nobody I am kidding, kind of… But, honestly I love the fact that my is going to nurture it and work it with the passion that you do. name is on something that people across the country can see. We have helped make Wedowee the Worst Kept Secret and We What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  LOVE it!  How we are expanding. Alabama Small Towns has given us a platform to explore more. We’ve been telling the stories of Who supports you the most as a woman in business?  Wedowee for 15 years and we love it and it is home but to be Every one of the women you are interviewing is supporting us. able to share the stories of other small towns is incredible. I can ask every single one of them for anything and they will And we bring that back to Wedowee. We have this synergy support it. The women here love to help each other. There is of tourism in these towns - we talk about Wedowee there and something about a woman business owner, she’s got that hustle.  we talk about them here. We have an economic impact just because we like to talk! Who or what resource helped you the most when you What’s the best tip or trick for working together with started the business?  I had a background in journalism, but it was my parents family? believing that we just may be those people to pull it off. There has been competition over the years, but our grit and determination and flat out stubbornness has led us to where

24 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

Know when to walk away to give the other person space. And, have time away from the business to still be family.

LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 25

Kim Hicks

Co-Owner of Boondocks BBQ and Creamery with husband Denny and Tracy and Eddie Berry

Kim grew up in Clayton County, Georgia, and has been in Wedowee full time since 2017. Kim, what’s special to you about this community? At first it was the small town feel, the quiet, compared to the traffic and crime in other places. We wanted peace and quiet. And the lake of course. What’s your favorite thing to do in the area?  I love fishing off my dock.  How many new jobs did Boondocks create in the local economy in 2022?  40+ employees and local vendors. We source our gas, pecans, and bread locally as well. How do you unwind from work?  We spend a lot of time with family. What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business?  We had been building houses together with Tracy and Eddie and we wanted something more sustainable. Denny wanted to get into barbecue and Tracy was interested in the ice cream. So here we are.  What do you love about owning your own business?  We’ve met a lot of great people, either passing through or who 26 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

live here. We have an Easter egg hunt coming up with pictures with the Easter bunny. We like doing things for the community and having the ability to do so. Who supports you the most as a woman in business?  Our husbands and each other. Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business?  Denny has a friend in the barbecue business, we are always asking him questions.  What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community?  It's hard to get off and running. We are an open book…we'll tell you what you want to know.  What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  We want our customers to have a consistent experience and feel pampered when they go out to eat, that’s what we tell the employees. You never know someone's situation. We're so grateful that the community has welcomed us, our customers are amazing.  What’s the best tip or trick for working together with family? You have to listen to each other. Understand each other well, know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Tracy Berry Co-Owner of Boondocks BBQ and Creamery with husband Eddie and Kim and Denny Hicks.

Seeing all the farms reminds me of home.

and I said, “Can I do the ice cream?” Now our why is helping the community. We try to do initiatives that employ local people, giving good wages, helping our employees learn new things. We do paid tutoring for our employees, and employee coaching - life coaching and managerial coaching for them. 

What’s the best kept secret in the Wedowee area? 

What do you love about owning your own business? 

Kim’s dock in their cove on the lake. It’s hard to find but that’s how we’ve met a lot of people.

The rewards - seeing the kids do well, the good we do in the community. We are president and vice president of the animal shelter. We do brown bag buddies, a program with churches that makes food available for kids on the weekends. People make new friends through the restaurants. We met our pecan farmer in Woodland. After we met them, they now pray for us, and we now pray for them. Then they held their son's rehearsal dinner here. We are  cultivating relationships here. We’ve met a lot of people passing through to different states. 

Tracy grew up in a small town in Ohio and has been in Wedowee full time 5 years, part time since 2013. Tracy, what’s special to you about this community?

How many new jobs did Boondocks create in the local economy in 2022?  40+ employees and local vendors. We source our gas, pecans, and bread locally as well. How do you unwind from work?  Sit down and put my feet up. We walk our dogs when we can. Volunteer at the animal shelter when we can. When we go shopping for the restaurants, we do other things for ourselves while we are out. Any free time is with our family.  What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business?  Originally our why was because we own other businesses together and we work well together. We started thinking about another local eating option. We talked about a barbecue place

Who supports you the most as a woman in business?  Our husbands and each other. Our kids. Our parents are always telling us how proud they are of us. Our dear friends, they all encourage us.  Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business?  The ice cream community in Nevada has been the biggest support group ever. We did a lot of research on how to make the ice cream, then you have to find a dairy! We won the awards from the best of the best - North American Ice Cream LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 27

28 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

Association (tests were blind tests sent to Cornell for a double blind testing panel – on taste, melts, color, etc ). We have mentors in those industries – so we bounce ideas off of them all the time. What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community?  Hold true to what you believe and what your mission is.  If you are willing to shed blood sweat and tears, then that should get some props. Women are busting it out there.  It's an honor to be a part of this group! What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  More menu options, another blood drive, if the employees volunteer so many hours they get free t-shirts - more initiatives like that. Changing the employees around for the experience of the many different roles.  What’s the best tip or trick for working together? It has been a trial by fire for us. We have two strong personalities, so we have learned to communicate more effectively. When you think you have a process or plan for everything, something else comes up. Lots of laughter. If you told me 10 years ago I'd do this I wouldn't believe you, since I was in corporate America, but I wouldn't change anything. I love working with my partners.

HWY. 9 EST. 2022

TIRE

256-396-3040

8954 Hwy 9, Lineville, AL Tires - All Sizes Oil Change Forestry Supplies Batteries Minor Repairs LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 29

Michelle Reno Owner of Doggie Styles - Professional Dog Grooming, Dog Boarding, Doggy Daycare (*for dogs up to date on their shots)

Michelle grew up in Newnan, Georgia and has been in Wedowee since May 2021. Michelle, what’s special to you about this community? Everybody is so accepting and warm. I feel safe here. And of course we love the lake! What’s your favorite thing to do in the area? And/or the best kept secret in Wedowee? I love the art festivals here. If the weather is nice, we are on the lake. How many new jobs did you create in the local economy in 2022?  9. What’s the weirdest animal you’ve ever had to groom?  For someone else? A  rabbit. I’ve owned everything – ferrets, opossums, chickens, a sugar glider, a hedgehog, so I’ve groomed all of those! How do you unwind from work?  I go home and sit on the porch swing and look at the lake. I like arts and crafts too. I recently started foraging for mushrooms and connecting with nature. 

a client for doggy daycare and she said I was the only one that she trusted with her animals so I bought some clippers and gave it a try. I’ve been doing it ever since. What do you love about owning your own business?  The flexibility, feeling like I’m part of a community, I feel like I was meant to do this and I feel like I can have more of an impact working for myself than working for someone else. Who supports you the most as a woman in business?  My husband Cary. He has had his own business for 16 years so he helps a bunch. We both have accounting degrees so that helps too. He worked in accounting for a while before having his own business so that helps. Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business?  Getting over here and getting established physically, my best friend Dawn Santos who worked with me. She worked with me off and on for 10 years. What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community? 

Make connections with people and be kind and accommodating. Be a positive presence in the community to gain the trust of the What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business?  people you are working with. You know that people can always I’ve always loved animals. Originally I went to Auburn to be go somewhere else, so why not treat them the best that you a vet and I realized how much emotional stress there is with can? being a vet. I wanted to become something where I could be What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  with animals.. This is the happy side. I started in 2008 in Villa Rica. It was what I was meant to do, work with animals. I could We look to grow our business more. I’m looking forward to work with any animal and be happy! I fell into grooming. I had meeting new people and new dogs.  30 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 31

Kim Frandsen Co-Owner of The Old Waters Inn at Wedowee with husband Greg, and Ramonda and Gene Crouch

Kim grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and has been in Wedowee since 2019. Kim, what’s special to you about this community? The closeness of the community. When you go somewhere that you know everyone, it feels like Cheers, the tv show, where everyone knows your name. What’s your favorite thing to do in the area? And/or the best kept secret in Wedowee? Play on the lake! Our family comes to us to spend time on the lake. Best kept secret? The Inn!

What do you love about owning your own business?  It gives us a chance to be creative, it challenges us. It challenges us to keep learning. It keeps us on our toes.

Who supports you the most as a woman in business?  My husband, Greg.  Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business?  We have been figuring it out as we go.

How many new jobs did the inn create in the local economy in 2022? 

What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community? 

30+ employees and local vendors

I would say go for it. The sky's the limit. There is so much potential here. 

What’s the farthest distance someone has come from to stay at the Inn? Norway How do you unwind from work?  We spend time on the lake or as a group with Ramonda and Gene, we go to Oxford for the OPAC to see shows and have dinner. My husband Greg and I travel a lot. What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business?  To give back to the community, to take something historical and make it beautiful again. 32 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  All of the ideas and the potential of more growth. There is so much more potential. We get a great mix of people, including a large number of people coming from out of state and even internationally. What’s the best tip or trick for working together with family? Be open minded to everyone's ideas. Communication. Be willing to work with other’s ideas. I’ve learned that It doesn't always have to be my way.

Ramonda grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and has been in Wedowee full time since 2000.

Ramonda Crouch Co-Owner of The Old Waters Inn at Wedowee with husband Gene, and Kim and Greg Frandsen

Ramonda, what’s special to you about this community? Seeing familiar faces, knowing your neighbors. It’s nice to be recognized when you are out and about. What’s your favorite thing to do in the area? And/or the best kept secret in Wedowee? Play on the lake. We really enjoy our family, we are the destination for our family. Best kept secret? The Wedowee area has been a secret for a long time. When we first started selling real estate over here, people in Atlanta were like, Wedowee? No thanks. Now that is changing. How many new jobs did the inn create in the local economy in 2022?  30+ employees and local vendors How do you unwind from work?  We spend time on the lake and take a business trip every year LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 33

34 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

with the Frandsen’s. Watching a sunset on the lake with a glass of wine. It’s so quiet and so peaceful here.  What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business?  We knew it was needed. From selling real estate we always heard people say that they’d love to stay another day but there was nowhere to stay. Having a place for an overflow of guests or a fishing tournament, there just wasn’t a place to go. What do you love about owning your own business?  It has been fun, we have enjoyed working together. We enjoy thinking of things to do there. I like to go out to other hotels and see what they are doing and think of the things that we can do to make our little hotel better.  Who supports you the most as a woman in business?  My husband, Gene. Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business?  We just jumped in and did it. We figured it out. We just thought, what would we want? When we go to hotels, what services would we want to see? And then implement them here. What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community?  Do it! I’d love to see more women start businesses here. I think the ones who have started businesses here are flourishing. They are very driven. We are all supporting each other well. I’m pretty proud of that. What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  All of the ideas and the potential of more growth. There is so much more potential. We get a great mix of people, including a large number of people coming from out of state and even internationally. What’s the best tip or trick for working together with family? Communication. It’s like working in the kitchen together, like a dance.

and want to be a part of the little town.

Amber Conger Owner of Miss Amber’s Cafe and Baked Blessings

How many new jobs did Miss Amber’s create in the local economy in 2022?  4, me and my family. How do you unwind from work?  I visit the winery a good bit. We love Brooke and Scott and we are so glad they are over there. Or we do margaritas at the Mexican restaurant.  What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business?  I have always cooked and fed people. But I always worked for someone else. When Miss Rita (Young) wanted something new, she decided to sell me the business. Now she feels like she won, she can do real estate with her husband and I feel like I won, I get to do what I love. What do you love about owning your own business? 

Amber grew up in Bowdon, Georgia and has been in Wedowee It’s definitely a challenge. Creative freedom.  And being with my kids. They could work anywhere, but this fell in my lap and for 20 years. I don’t know how else I could be happier. I love being with my Amber, what’s special to you about this community? kids. The people, I love the people. The first job I ever had here was Who supports you the most as a woman in business?  at the Hub restaurant. I waited tables there for 10 years, starting in 2004. In December 2017 I opened Miss Amber’s. People got My kids. We have a lot of people out there who support us.  There are a lot of people who eat here.  to know me and now their kids know me. What’s the best kept secret in the Wedowee area? 

Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business? 

Where to fish! Wedowee used to be a secret for a long time but now more and more people are moving here, hearing about it, Rita stayed with me for a month.  36 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community?  Stay in your lane. Worry about your stuff and not what everyone else is doing. Do what your heart tells you to do. Be true to yourself. I wouldn’t take a million bucks for my life right here.  What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  We are moving our freezer home to the restaurant. We started freezer meals during Covid. With it being here in house, we are able to better serve our community. We sold 2576 freezer meals last year. The convenience, for the Tanner nurses, the teachers, all kinds of people. We are also expanding our hours and opening up on Saturday for lunch. Our new hours are: Tuesday through Friday 11 - 5 , Saturdays 10 - 3 Lunch (not breakfast), Tuesday through Thursday afternoon meal pickup 5-6.

How do you unwind from work?  Time with Griggs and Goose, my bull dogs, and wine from the winery What’s the best selling pie? Key lime. What’s your favorite sweet to make? Red Velvet cake. What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business? 

What’s the best tip or trick for working together with family?

When I was younger I always wanted to have a restaurant. I was always talking about it. When this fell in our lap 6 years ago, I thought mama was crazy. We had always talked about it and different  things we could do with it. Six months later, I started being here every day. I love it. I wouldn’t rather work with anyone else. We work so well together.

Sometimes you have to think before you open your mouth. 

What do you love about owning your own business?  I love our customers.  Some of them have become like family. I get to do my desserts and whatever I want for that day.  Who supports you the most as a woman in business? 

Brittany Olvey Owner of Toot’s Sweets @ Miss Amber’s

Both of my parents have always pushed me. And there are certain customers who always support me. Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business?  My great aunt used to have a bakery in Ranburne. I remember growing up and going to her bakery and seeing her icing the cakes and the petit fours, it was always really cool. My favorite thing to bake is red velvet. It’s my grandmother’s recipe. Before I started making cakes, I went to a Christmas function, and brought back some red velvet from another bakery. People loved it and I went back and watched my grandma and figured out how to make it. What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community?  Be patient. I hope we are here for a long time. If you make it three years, you can make it.

Brittany grew up in Ranburne, Alabama, but has been coming to the area since 1999 with her grandma. Brittany, what’s special to you about this community? The closeness, everybody is close. With the shops and the restaurants, there are just good people in Wedowee. What’s the best kept secret in the Wedowee area? Ha! There are no secrets in Wedowee.

What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  Moving the freezer home. And getting our Frio’s freezer back. Opening longer hours on Saturdays. Hopefully new people will be able to try us out.  What’s the best tip or trick for working together with family? There is no one else I’d rather work with. Some people think we are crazy for being together all the time. LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 37

38 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

Brooke Bayliss Co-Owner of Lake Wedowee Winery & Brewery

Brooke grew up right here in Wedowee, spending time at her uncle’s Napa store in town. Brooke, what’s special to you about this community? Everything. The people, the closeness, the feeling of one big family. You know everybody. If we don't know them when they get here, we will by the time they leave.  What’s your favorite thing to do in the area? And/or the best kept secret in Wedowee? The lake – we have one of the most beautiful pristine lakes around. We have friends who have houses, my husband Scott fishes. We love boating and jet skiing. Oh, and now I’m the President of United Way here, I’m excited about that. Best kept secret in the Wedowee area? People take for granted the closeness of our little town. You truly get southern hospitality.  How many new jobs did you create in the local economy in 2022?  20+ employees and vendors  (6 employees plus local musicians once a month and local fruit vendors).  We have local food trucks as often as we can.  How do you unwind from work?  Our back porch is my favorite spot in our house. Add a beer and a book to the back porch and it’s pretty much perfect.

What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business?  To make a difference. To keep Wedowee going and to watch it grow while keeping its small town flavor. What do you love about owning your own business?  What I love the most is that we've always had a wonderful circle of friends but the winery has brought us all together. We get to see them more now, just being at the winery together. Who supports you the most as a woman in business?  Scott, my husband. And my parents. The guidance from my bosses and coworkers at the bank has been very helpful.  Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business?  My day job here at the bank.  My direct supervisor, Mitch Key, guided us with our business plan, and helps us out even now.  What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community?  Make a plan. Try to stick to the plan. But then be open minded on how to change it or adjust sales. And just go for it. What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  Expansion upstairs! More room. The pork skins and the pimento cheese that are new at the winery. (And the pork skins are from Nelson's Wings.) We have so many ideas and plans we just have to get up there and get going. LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 39

Beverley Boswell Owner of Split Ends Hair Salon

Beverley grew up in London, England and has been in Wedowee since 2017, in the South for 35 years.

plays with Randy from the marina, in the River Forks Band. And the best kept secret is the hospitality.

Beverley, what’s special to you about this community?

What’s something people may not know about you or your business?

I love how friendly everyone is. They wave at you and it feels like going back in time 30 years. It’s a tight knit community and has that small town feel. I grew up that way in England so it feels like home. My husband, Michael, is from Kentucky. We like the small family feel of town. What’s your favorite thing to do in the area? And/or the best kept secret in Wedowee? Getting on the lake and driving our boat around. Our German Shepherd is always with us. We are big music people. Michael,

Mondays I make haircare rounds to the homes and nursing homes for the older women who can’t drive anymore.  How do you unwind from work?  I usually sit on my front porch with a glass of wine and enjoy the peace and quiet after talking all day long. I should get a degree in psychology because I hear a lot. Sometimes I do get to have tea (hot tea, not iced, I’m from England) with my mother.

Michelle L Perez Attorney at Law Criminal and Family Law

7 S. Main Street P.O. Box 247 Wedowee, AL 36278 [email protected]

256-357-2700 40 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

M

P

No representation is made that the quality of legal services is greater than those performed by other attorneys

What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business? 

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT...

I felt that there was a need for a salon. And I was in need of doing something. I’m not one to sit around idle. Every 6-8 weeks I get to hear the update on everyone. What do you love about owning your own business?  The freedom for sure. I don’t have to answer to anyone. You have to be disciplined, I’ve put in a lot of hours for sure. I’m doing it for me. Who supports you the most as a woman in business?  Michael. He is my number one fan, my encouragement. When I opened here I had been in Wedowee 3 years, I didn’t know anyone. It was a big step, and I had no clientele. He supported me – “you’ve got this, we can do this.”  Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business?  I jumped in blind and figured it out as I went along. Michael is self-employed as well. We have a different kind of mindset. He had been through all the emotions so he knew how to help me navigate the “what if ’s”.  What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community?  Pray about it. Keep God in focus. Go for it! It is scary. But if you don’t try, how do you know if you will succeed? You have to take that leap. What's the worst you can do? Move on and go on to something else if you have to. And as women, we have to lift each other up. What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  Still being here, running a business, growing a business, that’s exciting to me. 

Main Street, Wedowee

s r u o H w e N

(256) 357-4238 to better serve our customers

Cafe

Tue-Fri from 11 am to 5 pm Saturday 10 am to 3 pm

Family Meal Pickup

Tue, Wed & Thu 5 pm to 6 pm

Baked Blessings Freezer Meals and more! now available to pickup at Miss Amber's Cafe

*Parmesan Crusted Salmon •Garlic Steak & Veggies •Ma’s Manicotti •Buffalo Chicken Sliders •Creamy Italian Ravioli •Our Homemade Lasagna •White Chicken Enchiladas • Breakfast Casseroles •Our Famous Meatloaf •Cathead Biscuits •Maw Maws Dressing •Sassy Sausage Ravioli •Buffalo Chicken & Potatoes •Spinach Artichoke Dip

Save The Date - May 6

Full Pool Party and Customer Appreciation Day More details coming soon. Follow us on Facebook LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 41

Ashley Blakenship Owner of Bobber’s Grill and Fun fAXE Ax Throwing

Ashely grew up in Carrollton, Georgia and has been in Wedowee since 2011. Ashley, what’s special to you about this community? I like all the young people who work for me.  What’s your favorite thing to do in the area? And/or the best kept secret in Wedowee? The lake - the whole boating thing. We live on the lake. The kids do all the skiing, tubing and kneeboarding. And the best kept secret in the Wedowee area is all the mom and pop businesses. How many new jobs did you create in the local economy in 2022?  109.

42 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

How do you unwind from work?  Did I mention I have 5 kids? Sundays are our family days – no work, no calls, no texts. What is your “why”? Why did you want to get into this business?  I needed to try something different that I hadn’t done before. Before I built apartment complexes and I still do that all over the Southeast, with my dad.There I work in a man’s world. But here I get to work with all these young people and they are open minded and easy going. They are willing to hustle and are eager. What do you love about owning your own business?  Making my own hours, with the kids. I take pride in the business. We celebrate our 4 year anniversary this year. Who supports you the most as a woman in business?  My husband Chris does. He does grading. He understands. He embraces “all my kids” (adopted young people from the restaurant) too. My bestie Jennifer Stone, she gets it. All these kids who grew up here come back and eat here and hang out here, there has been lots of trust built over the years.  Who or what resource helped you the most when you started the business?  I just figured it out. I wing it. I’m always adding on and changing it up, figuring it out as I go. What is your advice for a woman entrepreneur in this community?  Don’t listen to what anyone else says. Just stick with your gut and if you have confidence in yourself it’ll work out. You can’t be discouraged by what other people think. It’s the same way I raise my kids and my daughter. If you have confidence it’ll work. Walking around second guessing yourself – that’s when you run into hiccups. What are you most excited about in your business in 2023?  We are starting ax throwing. We have a lot of new bands coming. Summer is the best time, it gets a little chaotic here in the restaurant but I thrive the most then. When I have the most staff and summer is popping, I love it.  We also have a “Spread the Love” event April 15 where we give away money, meals, all kinds of things. We do it twice a year in honor of my mom who passed away. We do it on her birthday and on the anniversary of her passing. I always look forward to those.

F A M I L Y

F E A T U R E S

Chipotle Chicken Flatbread

A Flatbread for the Family When dining outside with your loved ones, there are few things better than a tasty dish the whole family can enjoy. This Chipotle Chicken Flatbread makes for a perfect al fresco meal. Prepared along with a fresh salad or simply enjoyed by itself, this flatbread is simple to make and even kids will love adding the toppings and sauce. It’s colorful and fresh, making it a perfect addition to get-togethers on the patio. Plus, the cooking time is only 16 minutes, which makes this a quick and delicious solution to defeat. 44 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

Adapted from butteryourbiscuit.com 2 flatbreads 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1 clove garlic, diced 4 chicken tenders, cooked and cubed 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered salt, to taste pepper, to taste 1/2 cup ranch dressing 1 1/2 teaspoons chipotle seasoning 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, chopped Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 F. Place parchment paper on baking sheet and add flatbreads. Sprinkle cheese on flatbreads. Top with garlic, chicken and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake 16 minutes until cheese is melted. In small bowl, mix ranch and chipotle seasoning. Drizzle ranch dressing on flatbread and sprinkle with cilantro leaves.

CEDAR WAXWING

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Spring is here! Flowers are beginning to bloom and birds are singing loud! There is one particular bird that has unusual markings and odd behaviors that peaked my interest. During a camping trip earlier this year, Ann Anker, an avid birdwatcher, taught me to stop, look up and listen for the birds. We were bird watching and she wanted to look for the cedar waxwing, a bird I had only read about but never seen. We walked to an opening in the forest near a few trees with berries, quietly waited and all of a sudden, a flock of birds flew in. They were beautiful! The cedar waxwing is striking! It is named for it waxy red tips on their wing feathers. The number of red tips gives some clues about the birds’ identity. In cedar waxwings, many young birds (especially young females) have no red tips at all, while adult males may have red tips on as many as nine wing feathers. The cedar waxwing has a distinctive marking on its head, one which you will not forget: it has a black mask around its eyes much like the one that batman wears. More specifically, it is a thin black mask with a white outline, and a brown, occasionally ragged short crest. The birds are medium sized, with a body length about 6 inches, and a pale yellow belly. The squared tail tip features a bright yellow band. Cedar waxwings inhabit deciduous, coniferous, and mixed woodlands, particularly areas along streams. If you have ornamental berry trees in your landscaping, you may find them there as well. Fruit and berries are their favorite meal. When feeding on fruits, cedar waxwings pluck them one by

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one and swallow the entire thing at once. They typically feed while perched on a twig, but they’re also good at grabbing berries while hovering briefly just below a bunch. According to the Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds, the cedar waxwing will pass berries from one bird to another down a long row sitting on a branch, until one bird decides to eat the berry. Cedar waxwings are social birds that form large flocks and often nest in loose clusters of a dozen or so nests. They travel through the state in large flocks during the fall, winter and early spring, searching for fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, such as Hackberry, Eastern Red Cedar, Black Cherry, and American Holly. This is the only time you will see them. When summer comes around, they are off to northern U.S. and Canada to raise their young. During courtship, males and females hop towards each other, alternating back and forth and sometimes touching their bills together. Males often pass a small item like a fruit, insect, or flower petal, to the female. After taking the fruit, the female usually hops away and then returns giving back the item to the male. They repeat this a few times until, typically, the female eats the gift. Given that it is still a little cool outside, now is the time to see the cedar waxwing. If you have berry trees in your yard, there is a chance you might see a flock of these beautiful birds swoop in!

A Wonderful Life B Y

C H A R L E Y

N O R T O N

  As some of you may know, much of what I write about come’s sick and in need of a transplant. To be honest, I really had from my dreams. Many of which can seem quite real. So real written myself off and was doing the whole “affairs in order” that sometimes I find them hard not to believe myself. There are thing. But while we were waiting at UAB hospital to have a stories I’ve written for Lake Wedowee Life that have had some procedure done, I got the call of my lifetime. A potential donor readers also thinking they were true….. to the point that my came into my world and just a few hours after that call I was in editor had to put disclaimers on some so people wouldn’t take surgery and eight and a half hours later I woke up surrounded them for truth. I like to call them “Dream Stories,” written with by machines, monitors and of course, Kim. my eyes shut and mind open. They naturally write themselves.                       I’m not sure if it was karma, chance or maybe just luck that I must admit these last several months have left me to question brought this gift to me… No, there is only one reason and most whether or not I was dreaming. Most folks know I was pretty folks that followed my adventure know it. They played a big LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 47

part in my being able to write this story today after so long. It was a gift from God. This blessing came to me on the prayers of hundreds, maybe thousands of people. Many I’ll  never know. Now, if that isn’t a miracle then I don’t know what is. We all, at one time or another, have heard the expression  “You don’t know who your friends are until you really need them." This was usually said by someone who felt slighted or abandoned by those that he or she thought they could count on. My experience was the opposite. I found I have more friends than I could have ever imagined! There aren’t  enough words I can say to express how I feel about what so many did for Kim and me. I am truly, truly blessed. I have had a chance to see how I’m thought of by others. Like a different approach to “It’s a Wonderful life.” I have grown closer to my wife, my daughter and her family, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles. My brother Bill and his awesome wife Lori put Kim and I up after surgery so we’d be close to the hospital and brother Tom pulled and is pulling the load at the store in my absence. I'm closer and so much more appreciative  to the churches, Sunday school classes, prayer circles, friends and individuals that took time to put in a good word with the “Big Guy” for me. Bless you all for this kindness. I will strive to earn it.  But, there is still one more to thank. And that is to the one who gave me my new life at the end of their own. I don’t know

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who you are. I don’t know your family or what circumstances brought us together. I don’t even know how old you were or if you were a male or female but I can promise you one thing, from now until the day I die, you will be a part of me and you will never be forgotten.  But even If I were to die tomorrow, it will have been worth it just to see how precious every life is and just how much good there still is in this world. You just have to look for it. Just don’t be like me and wait til you are at death's door to find out because the door can always close and there may not be a second chance. For that reason, I encourage everyone to sign the back of their license and become a donor. It would possibly be the biggest gift you ever gave. God's blessings and favors to all of you.       Editor’s Note: We are over the moon thrilled to welcome our friend Charley back to the Lake Wedowee Life writer’s circle. When he talks about people that prayed for him, we were definitely on the list. April is National Donate Life Month and April 14 (the first day you could be reading this) is Blue and Green Day to support organ donors. Also, if you would like to learn more about organ donation in Alabama, visit www.legacyofhope.org

Bellini Bar Recipe for Mother’s Day Brunch B Y

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find a wide variety of frozen fruit any time of year. For this reason, I prefer to use frozen fruit for the purees. However, you can use fresh fruit as well or a combination of frozen and fresh fruit. If you would like a nonalcohol version of a Bellini, sparkling water or grape juice can be substituted for prosecco. If you have champagne (sparkling wine from a region of France) on hand, this can be substituted for Prosecco as well. Any sparkling wine will do. If your sparkling wine is on the sweeter side, you may want to use less sweetener in your fruit puree. For the Bellini bar, you will need carafes for the different fruit purees. It is nice to label them so that guest can serve themselves and pick their favorite puree. You will also need champagne glasses and chilled bottles of prosecco. If it’s for Mother’s Day, a display fresh flowers are a beautiful touch and sure to put a smile on your mother’s face! Side dishes of garnishes such as fresh mint sprigs, berries, or fruit wedges are nice to have out to top off your glass.

Mothers are very special people and with Mother’s Day just around the corner, why not do something for her that will be memorable. Sunday Brunch and Mother’s Day seem to go hand in hand. Mimosa’s are what you typically see on a brunch menu. Don’t get me wrong, they are good but that is what would be expected. Why not try something that would not only be unexpected but delicious and refreshing! A Bellini Bar is just the ticket! Bellini’s are traditionally made with a white peach Puree and Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine). However, the flavor puree possibilities are endless. You can choose from a variety of your favorite fruits such as blueberries or blackberries, strawberries or raspberries, peaches or mango. You can also use a combination of fruits as well to create a delectable delight. One of my favorites is peach mango puree. It is not always easy to find fresh fruit in season. It is easy to 50 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

Ingredients For 12 Servings: 1 (16oz) bag of frozen peaches, thawed 1 (16oz) bag of frozen strawberries, thawed 1 (16oz) bag of frozen blueberries, thawed (Can use combination of frozen fruits together or combination of frozen and fresh fruits) 4 bottles chilled prosecco Fresh berries, fruit wedges, mint sprigs for garnish (optional) Simple Syrup: 1 Cup Sugar (can use ½ cup if would like less sweet) 1 cup water (Can use premade simple syrup or alternative sweetener such as agave) Instructions: Separately Blend peaches, strawberries, blueberries. If using seeded fruit, strain seeds through a fine mesh sieve. To make simple syrup, bring sugar and water to a boil until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and chill. Pour 1/3 of the chilled sugar mixture into each of the fruit purees and stir to combine. (Can use more or less simple syrup to taste as well as an alternative sweetener like agave). Pour each puree mixture into separate carafes. (Consider labeling purees) Put out 4 bottles chilled prosecco, 12 champagne glasses, and garnishes. To Make Bellini: Fill 1/4 of champagne glass with fruit mixture and then top off the rest of the way with prosecco and stir. Add garnish to complete and then enjoy!

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L I V I N G

O N

F A I T H

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B U T L E R

WOMAN OF Grace

Ashley Butler is a wife and mother of two boys. Throughout her journey, she has witnessed the ever-changing colors of the kaleidoscope called life. But, most importantly, she has experienced the true transforming power of Jesus Christ. Her heart’s desire is to apply her unique perspective and encourage others along the way, knowing that they too can benefit from the same redemptive power she knows through Christ.

Women are cool characters. We, typically, are the keeper of the family calendar, the toilet paper replacers, the grocery list makers, the stain getter outers, the chauffeur to all the things, the part time nurse, the housekeeper, the lawns and grounds committee and the giver of encouragement to all we love. We are pretty remarkable creations. With all of those badges of responsibility on our lapel, we can sometimes get lost in the shuffle of daily doings. I know I sure do! If we are being completely honest, some days I don’t know whether I’m coming or going and it might also be true that it’s a miracle I accomplish anything. I am more of a “squirrel at a rave” kind of woman. If you have ever met me, you are very aware that I have made procrastination an Olympic sport and

I lose my priority list daily. I’m working on it. Slowly…..but I promise I am. Have you ever stood back and watched a magnificent woman in your community at work? The one woman that can literally move mountains? That woman that comes into church on Sunday morning and her husband and children are freshly pressed with full bellies from the breakfast she rolled out of bed to make. Her hair is precise, and she even managed to throw lunch in the crockpot so that it is ready when they walk through the door. Do you know that woman? If you ARE that woman, call me, we need to talk. Lately, I have had a rough time making it through the day, LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 53

especially with a sound mind. Things have been shaken up in our neck of the woods and I feel like each day is a F5 tornado. There is a verse buried inside 1 Corinthians that gives me peace, comfort and strength. In chapter 15, verse 10, the Bible tells me, “I am what I am by God’s grace, and God’s grace hasn’t been for nothing. In fact, I have worked harder than all the others- that is, it wasn’t me but the grace of God that is with me.” Isn’t that worth shouting over? I mean, just typing that verse make my glory bumps stand up! Let’s break it down. “I am what I am by God’s grace.” I am His creation and He cares so much about my details that He sends abundant Grace down to rest on me. I am a woman. I am an Educator. I am a mommy. I am a mother-in-law. I am an aunt. I am everything that was fearfully and wonderfully made by God and He has got my back. In short, I am His hot mess and He already knows that. I don’t have to be anything else but myself because of His grace. Also, the scripture says, “God’s grace hasn’t been for nothing.” He knows every in and out of this crazy girl's life and He still purposed to flood me with His grace. Praise the Lord!! “In fact, I have worked harder than all the others-“ I can relate to that part immensely. Remember when I told you things have been shaken up? With all the new changes around our house I have discovered a new level of mental exhaustion. Not just mental, but physical as well. I can honestly say that I get

bitter from time to time thinking about all that has come to lay upon my plate and I look around and wonder if I will make it through. Fortunately for me, the last part of that verse saves the day. “ It wasn’t me but the grace of God that is with me.” The only reason I can wake up and put one foot in front of the other is by God’s grace. Not by my own efforts!! The love and grace of God carries me from moment to moment and glory to glory. I am so glad I don’t have to do life on my own. I am a blood bought, saved woman of faith and that means I get the gift of having my God hold me. Every day when I talk to Him, He guides me and fills my cup so that I can face the day. Best gift ever! Today, strong woman, take great assurance that your day is covered by the grace of God and that whatever you are facing, He already knows and cares about and He has gone before you to create a way when you see no way. Be Blessed,

Ashley Homework:

Write: 1 Corinthians 15:10 on a note and place it where you will see it every day! Listen : He’s All I Need by C.T. and Becky Townsend

A Straightforward Weekend Breakfast

There are no alarms set and you are cuddled up in bed after a good night’s sleep. It’s late morning and there is nowhere to go, no rushing around to do. No school bus, no work to be done, just relaxing at home with loved ones. However, breakfast is calling your name. Your stomach rumbles as your stumble toward the kitchen. You need something quick and effortless. The kids will be up soon and you know food will be on their minds. When you’re in a pinch, there is nearly nothing better to make than something sweet and filling for a weekend family breakfast. Try these simple and delicious Caramel Sticky Rolls for an easy breakfast for all. The rolls are fluffy, a little crunchy and drizzled with caramel topping.

Start by sprinkling some flour on the countertop. Roll out one sheet of puff pastry. Drizzle and spread caramel sauce on the puff pastry. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts on top then roll up the puff pastry and cut it into about nine pieces to place inside a muffin tin. Bake for 22 minutes and cool. If you like your rolls super sweet, drizzle with some extra caramel sauce. The result is a pan full of warm, gooey and delightful rolls that are perfect for a large family or to save leftovers to enjoy throughout the week.

Next time you slept in a little too late or your family wants something more than the daily norm for breakfast, try this scrumptious and tasty recipe. Your family will love it and don’t be surprised if you get a request or two for this breakfast again. Find more quick weekend recipes at Culinary.net.

Caramel Sticky Rolls Nonstick cooking spray flour, for rolling pastry 1 frozen puff pastry, thawed caramel sauce, divided 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped powdered sugar Instructions: Heat oven to 400 F. Spray muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle flour on work surface. Flatten pastry sheet and roll into rectangle. Drizzle caramel sauce over pastry and spread within 1/2 inch of edges. Sprinkle chopped walnuts over caramel sauce. Starting on short end, evenly roll pastry with filling to other end. Cut pastry into nine pieces. Place pastries cut side up into muffin cups. Bake 22 minutes, or until golden brown. Immediately remove from pan to wire rack. Let cool 10 minutes. Drizzle with additional caramel sauce and dust with powdered sugar. LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 55

R E A D E R

P H O T O S

Tina Cason

Brittany Olvey

Allyson Morgan

Diane Broyles Jarrett Board

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Judy Colston

Pamela Graben

R E A D E R

P H O T O S

Tiffany Hoffine

Cheryl Bruce

Mandy Smith

Angie Stryker

Jarrett Board

Please submit high resolution photos to [email protected] Mary Taylor

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Index of Advertisers

Advertiser Page # 48 West Trade Day 13 A&E Metal 60 AAM Equipment LLC 61 Adams Construction 18, 21 Affordable Tire and Repair 18 Bobbers 60 Bonner Heating and Air 31 Boondocks 59 Chad Lee, Attorney at Law 25 Charles Thompson Construction 48 Chris Baldwin, Attorney at Law 25 City Auto Parts NAPA Lineville 58 Connally, Jordan & Associates, P.C. 59 Crouch Team Realty 18 D & S Marine 34 Danny's Auto Care 59 Doggie Styles 52 Dollar Heating and Air 4 Ethridge Enterprises 28 First Bank 60 First Bank of Alabama 2 First Light Coffee 38 Frog level funfest 31 H & M Drugs 24 Halls Propane 42 Heflin Main Street 59 Hometown Construction 59 Honey's Cafe 58 Hunter Bend Realty 20 HWY 9 Tire 29 Judge Amy Newsome 58 KBW Accounting 34 Keller Williams, Christie Hayes 58 Lake Homes Realty – Sherrie and Terry Norton 58 Lake Wedowee Auto Parts 58

Advertiser Page # Lake Wedowee Winery & Brewery 52 Lineville Clinic 25 Michael Edwards, DDS, PC 13 Michelle Perez Attorney at Law 40 MidSouth HVAC 54 Miss Amber's Cafe 41 NASH Consulting 58 NG Turf 29 Norton's Flooring Outlet 31 Old Waters Inn 51 35 Oxford Main Street Peaceful Porch at Parker House 3 Perryland 38 Randolph County Sheriff 's Office 58 RE/MAX Lakefront, Grady and Linda Stone 25 Red C Cafe 38 Resource MFG 43 Southern Union State Community 12 Split Ends Hair Salon 13 State Farm – Ken Seiffert Ins Agency 28 State Farm – Meg Wilson 20 Steele Chiropractic Life Center 52 Superior Gas 13 Superior Pest Control, Inc 34 Tanner Health Systems 64 The Crow's Nest 59 The Tinney Law Firm,LLC 12 Tri-County Insurance 28 Wedowee Building Supplies, Corp 28 Wellborn – Factory Direct Kitchen and Bath 34 WM Grocery 4 If you are interested in advertising in any of our publications, please email [email protected] or call our office at 256.357.4557. Our Next issue is Lake Wedowee's Got Talent. The ad deadline is April 21.

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Something smells fishy. If you’ve often eaten canned tuna, or have been around someone that has, you’re definitely familiar with the smell that it emits right when you crack open the tin. So, why does canned tuna smell fishy anyways?  The answer is, canned tuna is precooked whole before it is processed, then it is cleaned, separated and cooked again once inside the can. This process is necessary to kill bacteria, but it also sometimes causes the creation of histamine that can give the canned tuna that “fishy” smell. Are you one of many that hate canned tuna? Does the smell of it or even the sight of it cause you to lose your appetite?   Will you not try it in a box or with a fox?  Will you not try it here or there or anywhere?  Well, today is your lucky day.  If you’ve never tried fresh tuna steaks, I beg you to try this recipe.  It smells and tastes nothing like canned tuna.  Trust me!  You will see.  You will eat them on a train and in the rain.  You will eat tuna steaks here and there.  You will be eating them everywhere.

Sesame Ginger Seared Tuna Steaks

Sesame Ginger Seared Tuna Steaks B Y

T R A C Y

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C A R P E N T E R

/3 cup black sesame seeds 1/3 cup white sesame seeds 2 tablespoons dried crushed or minced ginger 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt 2 ahi tuna steaks, at least 1 inch thick 2 Tbs. Avocado oil 1 Lemon Instructions: Combine the black and white sesame seeds, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt in a bowl.  Stir to mix.  Put 1/2 cup of sesame ginger mix in a shallow bowl.  Store the rest of the mix in an airtight container and save for another time. Squeeze some lemon juice over both sides of tuna steak. Coat the tuna with the sesame seed mix, pressing till they stick. Add the avocado oil to a cast iron skillet or heavy-duty frying pan.  Over medium-high heat, warm the oil.  When the oil starts to smoke, put the tuna in the pan. Cook for about 30 to 45 seconds per side (or longer if you like it more done). Transfer to a plate and let it rest for 3 minutes. Slice the tuna against the grain. Serve immediately.