When you were a kid and needed to learn something new, you went to Dad, right? He’s the one who taught you how to ride a bike and drive a car. He’s also the one who taught you how to bait your hook for the first time.

You’ve never forgotten these skills and now is a great time to say thank you to the man who helped you learn and grow by taking him out for a day of fishing. You might even teach him a thing or two.

Whether it’s for Father’s Day or his birthday. This is a great time of year to surprise him with can’t-miss gifts he’ll enjoy while sharing his favorite pastime with you. So don’t delay. The weather’s great and the boat is ready. Make the most of it with this list of tips guaranteed to show Dad a fishing trip he won’t forget.

Surprise him with the perfect invitation.
If your dad can't say no to helping with a project, surprising him with a fishing trip will be easy. Ask for his help on something you can't do yourself. You can even poke at him about how hard the project will be, just don't go too far or he wont show up. And then, when he arrives, show him the car packed and ready to hit his favorite honey hole. He'll be so happy he may just forgive you for the trick.

Plan to the last detail.
On a good fishing trip, the drive is half the fun, so don’t race through it. Take Dad to his favorite restaurant for breakfast, play his favorite tunes in the car and have a steaming cup of his favorite coffee waiting for him when you hit the open road.

Surprise him with the right gear.
Help dear old Dad up his angling acumen by giving a few thoughtful gifts throughout the day. Start the surprise by setting up his favorite rod and reel before picking him up, with Sufix 832 Advanced Superline. A go-to fishing line for the world’s best anglers, this braided line has the strength and durability to ward against line breaks and will ensure Dad’s next big catch makes it all the way to the boat. At the end of the line, you can tie on the dynamic Rapala Ripstop. An innovative new lure, the bait features a unique hard-plastic-boot tail that creates hard-rolling, slashing action to mimic live minnow movement, perfect for drawing plenty of attention. Then after a morning of catching fish on the water, hand Dad the Rapala Lithium Ion Cordless Fillet to make quick work of even the most intimidating fileting chore. Its lithium-ion power battery provides continuous, full power operation for 80 minutes, and will have the two of you enjoying a delicious shore lunch in no time.

Cap the day off right.
When the sun starts to set and the day of fishing is finally done, cap the day off with a drink at his favorite spot or sit around the fire telling stories. Just don't be surprised if the size of Dad’s catch has grown considerably by then - it is a fish story after all.

Sit back and enjoy the ride.
All of your planning has come to make this day as special for you as it is for your father, so don't miss a moment of it. Put the phone away and unplug while engaging in conversation. You may just learn a thing or two about your dad that you never knew before and the memories you'll get from your trip together will last a lifetime.

Featured Recipe for this week:
Strawberries and Cream Cobbler

Here is a quick Lake Wedowee Safety check list complied with the help of Marine Police Officer Barry Popham and Kathy Morris of Wedowee Marine. Please look over and take note of these tips. There may be some you had not thought of before. ENJOY the Lake and have a SAFE summer!

• Take a safe boating course; you might be surprised about what you don't know about boating safety ( and it may even give you a discount on your boat insurance)!
• Just like on the highway, drinking and boating is against the law. In may ways, it can be even more dangerous. Leave your alcohol at home!
• Check the weather forecast
• Let someone know where you are heading and what time you expect to be back.
• Many people put their boats in the water without first checking belts, fluid, and motors - and end up having to be towed in. Make sure your boat is in good working order before taking it out.
• Know the state boating laws for Alabama.
• Follow manufacturers suggested procedures before starting up.
• Lake level fluctuate daily. Check lake levels before each trip out on the lake.
• Follow nautical rules of the road, buoys, and other aids for navigation.
• Watch your wake and keep a safe distance from docks and other structures, swimmers, and other boats. It's the law, it's couteous, and it's for everyone's safety.
• Have Coast Guard approved life jackets for all passengers. All passengers under 8 must wear a life vest at all times while onboard.
• Have a first aid kit on board at all times. Also bring your cell phone, extra dry clothes, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
• Please keep hold of your trash - items such as drink cups, cans, old fishing line, and bait containers can easily be blown into the water, especially from a moving boat. Not only do these items pollute the earth, they can be harmful to fish and other aquatic life.
• Wear a life jacket whether you know how to swim or not and dress appropriately for the weather. Most people who drown never intended to be in the water in the first place.  Be aware of and enjoy your surroundings, bring binoculars and cameras to enjoy the beautiful landscape, and keep an eye out for un-safe conditions.

Don't forget that the lake is for everyone's enjoyment and a reckless or rude boater can turn a nice day at the lake into a disaster!

Featured Recipe this week:
Cowboy Campfire Bacon Burgers

From several points in Randolph County, Mt. Cheaha looms in the distance. It may not seem like much from here but as you make your way closer its size may become a little overwhelming. Cheaha State Park is atop the mountain which is the highest point in Alabama at 2,407 feet. Located in the Talladega National Forest, Cheaha is the Indian word for "high" and is a foothill of the Appalachian Mountain system. Cheaha State Park has been in operation since 1933, however, the official opening date was June 7, 1939.

Featured recipe this week:
Mama's Banana Pudding

When teenagers graduate from high school, its pretty standard to celebrate with a trip... Local teens flock to the beach with their friends to celebrate the closing of one chapter of their lives before starting the next phase of their lives.

Well, the same is kind of true for two teenagers from Australia. Emma Sheppard and Moinul (Mo for short) Hassah graduated from high school this year and worked hard and saved for their trip of a lifetime too.... But instead of going to a beach locale in Australia, the two decided they wanted to travel a little further... They worked and saved to bicycle across the United States.

And, thanks to a lifelong family friendship with Kent and Penni Rollings, the pair made a pit stop to Lake Wedowee!

Featured Recipe this week:
Tropical Berry Smoothie

Story and Pictures by Tracy Carpenter
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OOPS! I did it again! I accidentally splashed bleach on my new Lake Wedowee t-shirt! If you have ever accidentally splashed bleach on your clothes in a cleaning frenzy, then you will be pleased to know that all is not lost. Here's a fun way to hide that bleach stain. Tie-dyeing with bleach. Tie-dyeing is a fun activity to do right at home, and it's also a frugal way to upcycle clothing or just about any other fabric.

​DIY Tie Dye T-Shirt
Materials Needed:
T-shirt
Liquid Bleach
Water
Squeezable Condiment Bottle
Rubber Bands or String
Rubber Gloves
​Scissors

First: Fill a bottle with 3 parts bleach to 1 parts water. You can also use straight up bleach. ( Make SURE to mark any bottle with "BLEACH" to make sure no one mistakes it for something else!)

Second: Lay your shirt out flat on a table.

Third: Pinch the shirt on the side that you want the bullseye to be. Pull upward into a cone shape, guiding the fabric with other hand.

Fourth: Wrap a rubber band 1 to 2 inches below tip of fabric, then continue binding fabric with desired amount of rubber bands.

Fifth: Gather up the remainder of the shirt like an accordion and tie with string and or rubber bands.

Sixth: Once you are done tying the shirt up, place the shirt on a wire rack or in the bottom of your sink.

Seventh: With rubber gloves on, apply the bleach mixer to the shirt around the rubber bands. ( Do both sides of the shirt.)

Eighth: Let the shirt sit for a few minutes until you see the color start to turn. Just be careful how long you leave the solution on, especially if using undiluted bleach. The bleach will start breaking down the fabric fibers.

Ninth: Rinse with cold water and wrong out the excess water.

Tenth: CAREFULLY cut the rubber bands off and unfold

Eleventh: Wash.

Finished! The colors will vary based on what color your garment was to start with.

* For a more subtle effect, tie the shirt up and place in a bucket of diluted bleach with a ratio of two cups bleach to 1 gallon of water. Check your shirt in 1 hour intervals. Some fabric may fade faster than others so be careful with this. Bleach is strong and works quickly. When the color is to your liking, give the shirt a good squeeze to drain any additional water. Then rinse under cold water, Remove rubber bands and wash. 

Featured Recipe This Week:
Sherbet Filled Angel Food Cake

BY CHARLEY NORTON

​As some of you may know, much of what I write about come’s from my dreams. Many of which can seem quite real. So real that sometimes I find them hard not to believe myself. There are stories I’ve written for Lake Wedowee Life that have had some readers also thinking they were true….. to the point that my editor had to put disclaimers on some so people wouldn’t take them for truth. I like to call them “Dream Stories,” written with my eyes shut and mind open. They naturally write themselves.                      

I must admit these last several months have left me to question whether or not I was dreaming. Most folks know I was pretty sick and in need of a transplant. To be honest, I really had written myself off and was doing the whole “affairs in order” thing. But while we were waiting at UAB hospital to have a procedure done, I got the call of my lifetime. A potential donor came into my world and just a few hours after that call I was in surgery and eight and a half hours later I woke up surrounded by machines, monitors and of course, Kim.

I’m not sure if it was karma, chance or maybe just luck that brought this gift to me… No, there is only one reason and most folks that followed my adventure know it. They played a big 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 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

#CharleyNorton  #AWonderfulLife  #LakeWedowee #WEDOmedia

Pictures and story: Kelly Caldwell

Blessings... Depending on who you ask could mean any number of things... It's what is said before you eat.... It's God's favor and protection according to the dictionary... And for Ellen Sewell its the reason behind Brown Gables.
" God sends me people to stay here." she said. "If he didn't send them, I don't want them." ​

Featured Recipe this week:
Roasted Tomato Panini

Eclectic taste merge on Lake Wedowee
Photos and Story by Kelly Caldwell

Julie McKinney always wanted a home with a tile roof, however, her husband Mac, owner of McKinney Builders, knew it was not practical in their home in Newnan. " I knew we would never be able to sell it over there," he said. So when the couple discovered their lake lot more than six years ago while out on a Sunday drive, Julie's wish would come true. The home is influenced by many themes with its Mexican tile flooring, Indian décor as well as Knick knacks picked up from friends through out the years.

Featured Recipe this week :
Gertrude's Peach Cobbler

Story and Photos by Kelly Caldwell

A square peg in a round hole is how Ron Newsome has described himself for more than 30 years. Newsome bega his adult life as a helicopter pilot in the army but while stationed in Washington found a new passion. "My wife (Lynn) and I went to the Blue Herron Gallery and F. Carlton Ball had his work on display," Newsome said. " I saw the pottery and thought I could do that." The Randolph County potter uses an electric wheel and his porcelain all comes from southeastern clay.

Featured Recipe this week:
Mini Orange Crumble Top Muffins with Orange Butter

Story by Kelly Caldwell

Shirley Saxson Dawkins loves art. She has since her second-grade teacher put a paint brush in her hand and sparked an interest that has spanned several decades. " I started Taking art when I was about 7 and it really sparked an interest" she said. "It has been a lifelong learning experience for me and it has opened so many doors."

Dawkins has displayed her art at a one-woman show in Talladega, been a participant in the Sarah Carlisle Towery Colony on Lake Martin and many of her works are on display at the Winn Building in Ashland.

Featured Recipe in this issue:
Coconut Clouds