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The Lakeside Life Blog


Lewis Smith Lake Alabama | Smith Lake Alabama

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2/2/2023 0 Comments

Top 12 tips to prepare your boat for boating season!

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​Get your boat ready – it’s almost spring!
 
Groundhog Day 2023 brought news we lake lovers did not want to hear for the upcoming boating season… 6 more weeks of winter?!  BUT… that also means it allows 6 more weeks to prepare boats/marine vessels for spring break and beyond!  
 
Now is the time, before spring, to put boats in the shop for servicing, maintenance and upgrades before local shops are overloaded, resulting in sometimes serious delays to your boating season.  Also, maintaining and servicing a boat annually protects your investment, and upgrades can substantially help resale value.  

See a list of suggestions below (in alphabetical order):

PicturePhoto from Facebook: 2023 New Hydrohoist of Alabama boat lift in a new dock by Free State Boat Docks
1.  AFTERMARKET BOAT & TOWER ACCESSORIES - This can be anything from a depth finder to a trailer tail light to board racks for the boat's tower, or even a new tower and so much more.  Try these local companies:  Duskin Point Marina, MasterPro Audio, and Russell Marine - Smith Lake

2.  BOAT DETAILING - unlike basic auto detailing, boats have a gel coat surface over thick heavy fiberglass which is different from metal and plastics used on cars, so different methods, products and materials are needed for repairs, cleaning and refurbishing the finish.  Make sure you use a company that is experienced with delicate boat detailing needs.  We recommend local companies like Bama Detailing, Duncan Bridge Marina, MasterPro Audio, Nelson Marine & Cycle Services, and Russell Marine - Smith Lake. 

3.  BOAT LIFTS - for a new lift, installation, and good annual servicing to keep your investment safe and sound, get quotes from HydroHoist of Alabama, Free State Boat Docks, MasterPro Audio and Smith Lake Republic.

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Photo from Facebook: 2022 new dock by Free State Boat Docks with all the favorite accessories!
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Photo from Facebook, MasterPro Audio: 2021 Marine Decking
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Photo from Facebook - Russell Marine 2023 Nautique G23 Paragon
4.  DOCK SERVICE & CONCIERGE - this can be anything from dock servicing, repairs, cleaning, solar installation, dock accessories, marine grade audio/video for outdoor entertaining, etc.  Try getting an estimate from local companies who can help like Free State Boat Docks, MasterPro Audio, Nelson Marine and Cycle Services, Smith Lake Republic and Wetsteps of Alabama.

5.  FINANCING - looking to buy a NEW BOAT - visit Duskin Point Marina and Russell Marine - Smith Lake and finance locally with banks like Bank of Walker County, Citizens Bank and Trust, Cullman Savings Bank, First National Bank and Listerhill Credit Union.  Did you know that you can obtain financing for a NEW DOCK?  Contacting Listerhill Credit Union to get your application underway.

6.  INSURANCE - make sure you’re properly covered for the year or re-evaluate your coverage if you've made any changes recently regarding your boat, home or dock.  Grant Thomas of Alfa Insurance can help you.  (Note - Grant's family are long time residents of Smith Lake - check out their company Smith Lake Rentals and Sales for local rental homes and sign up early for rentals as they get booked super fast early each year.
PictureMasterPro Audio
7.  MARINE AUDIO/VIDEO - Upgrade the entire boat's A/V system if it is not performing on its limited stock system, or if the system is older and needing a few upgrades or component additions.  Perhaps everything is functioning fine, and the system just needs some tuning, repairs or refurb.  Be sure to use professionals who understand the nuances between name brands of equipment and how to get the most sound bang for your buck.  A company we recommend who has over 35 years experience in high end professional audio is MasterPro Audio with experience not just in marine audio and basic 12V, but also for commercial/home/worship/sports venues, entertainment venues, etc.  Ask to hear their demo boat system, on the water from a very far distance - you'll be shocked at what their patented tower speakers and component system are capable of - clean, clear high performance sound ready to energize your day on the lake.
 
8.  MARINE FLOORING - whether it's carpet, engineered marine flooring for an entire boat, or just pieces for a back platform, gunwales, or just to artfully replace a torn or damaged section, the following local companies can help get your boat looking the best - Duskin Point Marina, MasterPro Audio, and Russell Marine - Smith Lake.

9.  MECHANICAL SERVICE for BOATS & TRAILERS - schedule to get your boat serviced, tuned up, de-winterized and ready to take on the season.  Local companies we suggest:  Duskin Point Marina, Nelson Marine & Cycle Services, Russell Marine - Smith Lake.

PicturePhoto from Facebook 2022 - a boat under tow by TowBoatUS Smith Lake!
​10.  TOWING SERVICE - get your annual membership NOW and boat worry free all year.  Contact Captain Terry Russeau of TowBoatUS Smith Lake.

11.  UPHOLSTERY - repairs or new - contact Bama Detailing or MasterPro Audio.
 
12.  WATERSPORTS EQUIPMENT - new equipment or rentals - try local shops like Lakeside Gear, Pine Valley Outdoor Living, Russell Marine - Smith Lake and Triple Creek Marina.   ​

Once you've got the boat tuned up, spruced up, fully loaded and ready to go, check out our other informational blogs to make sure you are fully prepared for the best boating season every year.  Check back on our blog often!

For more businesses in categories you are looking for, try our Business Listing - Alphabetical, and our Business Listing by Category, and check out more information in our LOCAL INFO tab.  

Latest update to this blog:  2/2/23.  

​
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0 Comments

12/15/2022 0 Comments

Boat Show Season 2023

A favorite time of year for all those who LAKE is Boat Show Season - occurring at the beginning of every year, usually in January, sometimes into March.  For us, it means SPRING is just around the corner.  The lake area begins to be in high gear for the next boating season as soon as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve!  It's certainly the case for us.

Most of the folks in our area enjoy attending several boat shows each year.  Favorite shows are within about a 3 hour driving range.  Attending shows allows a fun reason to get out and go visit another city, reconnect with other boating friends aka "your lake people," and getting excited for a new season by checking out the vendors - favorite boat brands, marinas, lake life brands and lake-oriented businesses.  

Attached is a list of 2023 boat shows you might like to attend - in order by date.  All shows are a short drive from the lake area.  (we'll try to update this listing each year as soon as we get confirmed info, but also keep the contact information at hand so that you know how to reach out annually for additional information, vendor apps, vendor lists, floorplans/maps and tickets.)
The Discover Boating Nashville Boat Show
Music City Center
201 Fifth Avenue South
Nashville, TN  37203
CONTACT:
Kim Muncy
502-957-0471
info@nashvilleboatshow.com
nashvilleboatshow.com
Facebook:  @nashvilleboatshow
Instagram:  @nashboatshow
HOSTS:  Discover Boating, Nashville Boat Show, Music City Center
SPONSORS:  Progressive, Lake and Coast Real Estate, TMobile, Summit Finance Group, Alpha Electrical Contractor, Jupiter Bike, Leaf Filter Gutter Protection, Spades Cosmetics, NMMA Certified using ABYC Standards
2023 DATES:  January 5-8, 2023
SCHEDULE:
​JAN 5 - Thursday - 2pm-9pm

JAN 6 - Friday - 12pm-9pm
JAN 7 - Saturday - 10am-9pm
JAN 8 - Sunday - 11am-5pm
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Photo: Nashville Boat Show (Facebook)
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The Huntsville Boat Show
Von Braun Center
700 Monroe Street SW
Huntsville, AL  36801
​256-533-1953
huntsvilleboatshow@gmail.com
​huntsvilleboatshow.com
Facebook:  @huntsvilleboatshow
Instagram:  @huntsvilleboatshow
2023 DATES:  January 12-14, 2023
SCHEDULE:
JAN 12 - Thursday - 2pm-8pm
JAN 13 - Friday - 12pm-8pm
JAN 14 - Saturday - 10am-8pm
JAN 16 - Sunday - 11am-5pm  
The 50th Annual Birmingham Boat Show
Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center ("The BJCC")
LOCATION ADDRESS:
​2100 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N
Birmingham, AL 35203
CONTACT:
Birmingham Sport & Boat Show Inc.
P.O. Box 2675
Rockport, Texas 78381
361-446-4040
BirminghamBoatShow@stx.rr.com
birminghamboatshow.com
Facebook:  N/A

Instagram:  N/A
​HOSTS:  Birmingham Boat Show, The BJCC
SPONSORS:  AmFirst, Big #1 Motorsports, CBS 42, Sylacauga Marine & ATV Inc., Tracker Boats, Yamaha, Ranger Boats, The Lakeside Life Magazine
2023 DATES:  January 19-22, 2023
SCHEDULE:
​JAN 19 - Thursday - 12pm-9pm

JAN 20 - Friday - 12pm-9pm
JAN 21 - Saturday - 11am-9pm
JAN 22 - Sunday - 12pm-5pm
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Alabama Boat Show and Expo
Barber Motorsports Park
LOCATION ADDRESS:
​6040 Barber Motorsports Pkwy
Leeds, AL 35094
CONTACT:
Johnathon Burton, Show Operator

205-447-3773
jburton@burtonadvertising.com
alabamaboatshow.net
Facebook:  @alboatshow
​Instagram:  @alboatshow
HOSTS:  Alabama Boat Show and Expo, Barber Motorsports Park
SPONSORS:  AmFirst Credit Union
2023 DATES:  March 3-5, 2023
SCHEDULE:
MAR 3 - Friday - 11pm-7pm
MAR 4 - Saturday - 11am-7pm
MAR 5 - Sunday - 12pm-5pm
For information on more boat shows further away like the Nashville, Atlanta, and Orlando, FL areas, just Google boat show info for the states you're visiting.    

Now, just grab your favorite lake folks, pack up the car and head out to the boat shows of your choice.  ENJOY!
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0 Comments

12/1/2022 0 Comments

Things to Do at Smith Lake

Access:  First of all you have to get here.  Traveling to the lake is quick and easy:
Cullman - 
access the Cullman County side of the lake primarily off I-65 from Exits 299 (to Hwy 69), 304 (to Hwy 437, Hwy 438 & Hwy 222) & 309 (to Hwy 278)
Walker - enter the Walker side from I-22 into Jasper and through Curry AL
Winston -  the Winston side can be accessed through Cullman and Walker, both head into Arley, AL (The Heart of Smith Lake), or through Hwy 278 on the far northwest side from the Double Springs, AL area.  

For reference, distances are:
from the popular 299 Exit from I65 are:  about 40 minutes to Birmingham AL (40 miles), about 1 hour to Huntsville AL (60 miles), and 
about
 2 hours & 20 mins to Nashville, TN (150 miles)
​.  

Once you have an address of where you want to go, everything is accessible via GPS, but keep in mind that most of the lake is still very rural, so traveling around can be tricky.  There are still some dirt/gravel roads in the area, as well as some hard pack roads.  If you're veering off main highways and don't have a 4-wheel-drive, just be mindful of road conditions in inclement weather.

Activities:  there are so many activities to enjoy on Smith Lake.  We'll list a few of our favorites below.  
  • Boating - all types of motor operated or man powered vehicles (i.e. cabin cruisers, wakeboard boats, wakesurf boats, pontoons, jet boats, fishing boats, kayaks, canoes, jet-skis, even sailboats in designated areas, etc.).  Check our list of boat ramps if you're not sure where to launch or recover your boat.  The landings we highly recommend for newbies are located at Smith Lake Park, The Dam, Duskin Point Marina, and Duncan Bridge Marina.  Looking for a marina to purchase a boat - try Russell Marine-Smith Lake and Duskin Point Marina, they're happy to help you - see our list of marinas in the area.  Looking to rent a boat - try Duskin Point Marina - see our listing of rentals.  
  • Watersports - enjoy anything you like such as wakeboarding, wakesurfing, wakeskating, waterskiing, slalom, kneeboarding, barefooting, hydrofoiling, wakefoiling, surf foiling, efoiling  tubing, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), etc. (and be sure to check out local watersports shop Lakeside Gear @lakesidegear for great pricing on special orders delivered locally to your door and Pine Valley Outdoor Living @pvoutdoorliving for rentals of lots of watersports equipment and recreational equipment.)
  • Fishing - enjoy angling on the reservoir or fly fishing below the reservoir on the peaceful waters of the Black Warrior River.  You will find the lake area provides great fishing.  Common catches are:  Crappie, Bream, Striped Bass, Spotted Bass, White and Largemouth Bass;  Channel & Flathead Catfish, and there are Rainbow Trout provided in the area below the dam for those who love fly-fishing - be sure to check out lessons at well-known Riverside Fly Shop.  For fishing gear, we highly recommend Jasper's Pat's Archery & Outdoors.  Pat's offers equipment for all outdoor sports, from fishing, camping, hiking, hunting to watersports.  You'll find everything you need.  
  • Wildlife - there are abundant common wildlife in the area such as deer, fox, raccoons, groundhogs, chipmunks, etc.  It has been reported there are small mountain lions, coyotes and small black bear in the area too, but these would be very few and far between if at all in any given season.  
  • Birdwatching - gorgeous birds commonly found in the southeast are proliferate here as well as Eagles, Blue Herons, Mallard Ducks, Canadian Geese, Loons, Kingfishers, many songbirds, hummingbirds, etc...
  • And there are so many more general lake activities - swimming, camping, hiking - the possibilities are simply endless.  Be sure to check out our RV campsites in the area.  
  • Visiting Smith Lake Landmarks aka #spotsonsmith - find many of the favorite spots on Smith Lake through maps on our MAP page in the LOCAL INFO tab.  We often cover these favorite spots in our magazine, and soon we'll have a page dedicated to these spots.
  • Also, adjoining the lake on the far northwest end is the celebrated William B. Bankhead National Forest and Sipsey Wilderness that are simply a MUST SEE.  There are facebook pages dedicated to traversing this treasured area from many different trailheads.  Its nickname is "The Land of a Thousand Waterfalls" - just a Google search or search on social media will show you just why it has that name.  A gorgeous gorge/cavern mountain area full of streams, and of course Sipsey Fork River, and an abundance of well-kept trails along natural rock, rock bluff walls, hills and some valleys at the gutter areas with not only hiking trails, but biking, horseback and riding trails as well.  The area is absolutely STUNNING.  Just "Google it," and be prepared to go down the proverbial "rabbit hole" of beautiful photography and scenery like nothing you've ever seen.
  • AND... that's just ON the lake - the three counties that surround the lake offer so much more to do outside the lake area year round - such as the Jasper Main Street area in Jasper's historical downtown area, and the Cullman Warehouse District in the historical area of Cullman that lies near the old Train Depot and right beside Cullman's famous railroad tracks.  Also, there are other natural parks, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, historical sites, and incredible landmarks very close to the area.  A visit to the local Chambers of Commerce in both Cullman and Jasper, as well as area museums, offer a wealth of information about the counties that surround the lake (see links below). 

Also, check out the bottom of our blog on Lewis Smith Dam and Powerhouse for information about visiting the Alabama Power Company Lewis Smith Dam and Powerhouse.  

If you would like more information about our area, we encourage you to check with the local Chamber of Commerce for each city/county and/or the tourism boards in those areas.  In true southern style and hospitality, they will all graciously provide even more detailed and factual information about their specific areas.  
  • Cullman Area - Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce and Cullman Parks, Recreation and Tourism
  • ​​Walker Area - The Chamber of Commerce of Walker County
  • Winston Area - Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce

We have gathered these facts from numerous sources for the benefit of our community, so please feel free to offer any edits.  Call/text us at 256-708-7679 or email us at thelakesidelife@gmail.com
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8/12/2022 0 Comments

RECIPE - Pineapple Rice (Hawaiian Rice)

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This side dish is excellent with our Huli Huli Chicken Thighs released in the Summer 2022 issue.  (Pick up the issue, or head over to our digital issues to find it). We also love to serve this with any grilled kabobs that include pineapple chunks or other similar sweet tropical fruit that is tasty when grilled.  It's also great with most pork or chicken dishes, and Thai or Oriental style dishes.  Use it any time you want a pop of sweet/spicy.  We always make a large recipe for leftovers the next day, but you can cut the recipe in half if only serving a couple or up to 4 people.  ENJOY!
INGREDIENTS

3 cups water
​2 (8 oz) cans crushed pineapple in pineapple juice (about 2 cups if using a larger can)
2 T unsalted butter
4 t sugar
1 t kosher salt
1 t red pepper flakes (or to taste)
2 cups basmati or jasmine rice 
Juice of a lime (approx 2 T)
Small bunch of chopped fresh cilantro (if desired for garnish)
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INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Combine the first 6 ingredients in a small saucepan - water, pineapple, sugar, butter, salt and red pepper flakes.
  2. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  3. Quickly stir in the rice, cover again, and bring back to a simmer.
  4. Reduce heat to low.  Simmer covered (vented) for about 15 minutes or until the water is fully absorbed. By this point, the rice will be nearly done.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat, leave covered, and let the rice steam alone in the warm pot for another 5 minutes.
  6. Fluff rice with a fork to be sure all the water is absorbed. Softly fold in the lime juice and top each serving with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. (Our son is not big fan of cilantro, so we only use a very small bunch for garnish only - but use as much as you like to taste and feel free to stir it into the rice to spread throughout).
  7. Serve hot and fresh.  Great as a leftover too, just sprinkle a serving with a few drops of water to help it steam well and heat in the microwave.  
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0 Comments

6/27/2022 0 Comments

4th of July Events on Smith Lake

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PicturePhoto: Fireworks 2020, Albright Family Smith Lake
NOTE:  This blog will be updated annually.

Every Independence Day on Smith Lake is a great holiday, rain or shine; but after tough years through the pandemic, this year’s holiday is bound to be a good escape for everyone as things have been finally getting back to some sense of normal for travelers.  
 
Get ready to have some fun this year on Smith Lake for the 4th of July.  Most folks are planning a long weekend due to the holiday falling on Monday, so there will be an influx of friends and family to entertain all weekend, and there is plenty to do all around our large lake.  We're all praying for summer storms to hold back for the weekend's events.
​

​Check out our LOCAL INFO listings for everything from restaurants to shopping and much more.  Our Cullman, Walker & Winston County areas welcome you with open arms, and would love to have you spend some time shopping locally for your weekend of entertaining.  Also, visit our Smith Lake #spotsonsmith checklist to make sure you see some of our favorite spots on the lake while out boating.
 
There are several big fireworks shows that have been reported so far, see the list below.  
  • "OFF WATER" = fireworks are not along a shoreline or visible from water
  • "ON WATER" = the event is on the shoreline and can best be viewed by boat at a safe distance.  
Be safe, have a blessed holiday and enjoy!  

(You can find other events on our CALENDAR page - so please let us know of any other events need to be added and we'll have them added as soon as possible.)

Fireworks Shows/Events

DAY
DATE
TIME
INFO
SAT
7/2
5pm & 9pm
Name:  Rock the Boat 2022
By:  Fredricks Outdoor
What:  Music & Fireworks
When:  SAT 7/2/22 - event starts near 5pm, fireworks @ 9pm
Where:  ON WATER - Devil's Branch near Duncan Bridge
Info:  See the flyer below and the event page on Facebook
SAT (SUN)
7/2 (7/3)
5pm
Name:  26th Annual 4th of July Smith Lake Boat Parade on Brushy Creek
By:  Residents in the Sipsey and Brushy Creek areas - all are welcome
What:  Boat Parade
When:  SAT 7/2/22 5pm
Where:  ON WATER - Meet approx 2 miles north of where Brushy Creek flows into the Sipsey River (see flyer below)
Info:  See the flyer for info - if rained out, will move to SUN 7/03 9pm
SAT
7/2
9pm
Name:  The Watson Family Fireworks
By:  The Watson Family
What:  Fireworks
When:  SAT 7/2/22 9pm
​Where:  
ON WATER - Rock Creek - enter Rock Creek from Sipsey and it's the 2nd slough to the right on Watson's Point
SUN
7/3
9pm
Name:  4th Annual Triple Creek Fireworks Show
By: Triple Creek Marina
LEAD SPONSOR:  McCabe Hometown Lender
Sponsors:  The Patio at Smith Lake, The Lakeside Life and Cornerstone Construction

What:  Fireworks only
When:  SUN 7/3/22 9pm
​Where:  
ON WATER - The Patio at Smith Lake on Rock Creek near Bailey’s Bridge
Info:  See the flyer below​​​​​​
SUN
7/3
9pm
Name:  6th Annual Stoney Point 4th of July Fireworks
By:  The Sain and Fry Families
What:  Fireworks only
When:  SUN 7/3/22 9pm
​Where:  
ON & OFF WATER - Stoney Point neighborhood (common area across from "Spoon Island") on Sipsey north of Duncan Bridge and "The Cliffs" ​​​
Info:  See the flyer below​​​​​​​
SUN
7/3
9pm
Name:  11th Annual Bobapalooza 2022
​
By:  The Basch Family
SPONSORS:  Traditions Bank, Shoreline Restoration, Basch Bros and MBasch Designs
What:  Music & Fireworks
When:  SUN 7/3/22 9pm
Where:  
ON WATER - Major Millers in Miller Flats off of Ryan Creek
​Info:  See the flyer below and check out the event page on 
Facebook, pre-show music around 7pm and fireworks at 9pm
SUN
7/3
9pm
​Name:  Yellow Creek Friends & Family Fireworks
By:  The Burnett & Bomar Families
What:  Fireworks only
When:  SUN 7/3/22 9pm
​Where:  
ON WATER - Yellow Creek (the point across from the mouth of Yellow Creek)
Info:  See the flyer below
MON
7/4
10am & 9pm
Name:  ​Independence Day Celebration
By:  Addison Volunteer Fire Department
What:  Music & Fireworks
When:  MON 7/4/22 10am, 9pm
​Where:  
OFF WATER - Alexander Park, Addison AL
Info:  See the flyer below and check out the event on AVFD's Facebook page - All day event, 10am parade, Fireworks at 9pm
MON
7/4
8pm
By:  The Rock Smith Lake Campus
What:  Fireworks
When:  MON 7/4/22 8pm
Where:  
OFF WATER - The Rock Smith Lake Campus
​Info:  See the flyer and find them on social media
MON
7/4
9pm
Name:  Smith Lake Park Fireworks & Music
By:  Cullman County Parks & Recreation
What:  Music & Fireworks & Festival
When:  MON 7/4/22 9pm
Where:  
ON WATER - Smith Lake Park near Goat Island
Info:  See the flyer below and check out the event on Facebook - All day event, Fireworks at 9pm
SUN
7/3
9pm

Name:  Kings Point Community Fireworks Show
In memory of Mr. James Edward King
By:  The Summerford & King Families
What:  Fireworks
When:  SUN 7/3/22 9pm
​Where:  ON WATER - Rock Creek @ King's Point (the private landing @ King's Quality Boat Docks) 
​Info:  See the flyer below
N/A
N/A
N/A
**N/A - None for 2022, but perhaps next year!  
Name:  Thunder on the Mount
By:  Mount Vernon Baptist Church
What:  Music & Fireworks
When:  N/A
​Where:  usually OFF WATER​ @ Mount Vernon Baptist Church - Curry AL
Info:  Check out their page on Facebook - usually starting 6pm, Fireworks at 9pm
N/A
N/A
N/A
**N/A - None for 2022, but perhaps next year - for 2022, they will be joining in the 50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY celebration @ Smith Lake Park. 
Name:  Fireworks Over Cullman
​By:  City of Cullman & Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism
What:  Fireworks
When:  N/A
Where:  usually OFF WATER - Heritage Park, Cullman AL
Info:  usually begin 9pm
SAT & SUN
7/2 & 7/3
9pm
Name:  Pate's Point Fireworks
By:  Pate's Point LLC
​What:  Fireworks
When:  SAT & SUN, 7/2 & 7/3/22 9pm
Where:  ON WATER - @ Pate's Point - on Sipsey main channel just across from the opening of Bear Branch (Walker Co side)
"@" tag us on social media OR send in photos of the events you attend to our email:  thelakesidelife@gmail.com.  Let us know if you want us to post the photos on social media or if you’d like to be on the blog or magazine.  
 
(Please let us know of any other events that need to be added to the list for the weekend).
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Fredricks Outdoor Fireworks 2022
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Smith Lake Boat Parade (Brushy Creek) 2022
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Triple Creek Fireworks Show 2022
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Bobapalooza 2022
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Addison Fireworks 2022
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Watson Family Fireworks 2022
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Yellow Creek Fireworks 2022
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Stoney Point Fireworks 2022
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The Rock Smith Lake Campus 2022
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Smith Lake Park Fireworks 2022
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3/1/2022 0 Comments

AMAZON LAKE LIFE - launched!

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The Lakeside Life magazine is very lucky to be have been selected and recognized by Amazon in 2019 as not only an #amazonassociate (aka #amazonaffiliate) but also an #amazoninfluencer.  

Along with the new status, our team had to decide whether to roll out our Amazon picks on our store pages or our magazine page, and how best to do it.  We are first and foremost a lake living community magazine, dedicated to our lake community in every way, so our goal is to select products from reputable brands that we are already affiliated with by vendors through our store, OR that are sold by our local retailers who are also a part of the Amazon team and seek to extend their products to a wider audience, OR brands that we know and trust from our own lake experience or that of friends and neighbors we have "laked" with for decades.  

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We boldly decided to roll out our status on all platforms so that we can show a more diverse amount of products and vendors that we support and believe in.  We set up our wide-reaching Amazon store using the Instagram account @amazonlakelife as the basis for that with a logo that fits our brand using "lake life" as the theme––a shortened version of our magazine name––and we matched the logo to our local store @lakesidegear using the same logo with "lake gear" as the theme.  From these pages, @thelakesidelife_smithlake and @lakesidegear, plus our professional marine audio company @masterpoaudio, we can offer recommendations in any way we see fit through those markets.  Again, our overall goal––show you more of what our brands, retailers and affiliates in the lake arena are offering.  It's fun having several ways to find the products we all need and want.  

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Check our BLOG again soon, we'll have some select items to show you in the future.

AND...this isn't all, we still have some exciting changes going on in the background as we grow and change, and we'll keep you posted...stay tuned!

​This blog was first published 11/1/2019 and we have updated since we took a pause during the pandemic that followed that post to focus on only supporting local business or businesses like ours that have an Amazon store to complement their brick and mortar or home based business.   However, we'll be ramping up some favorite Amazon picks to post on our social media and blog later in the year, so follow us to watch for those.  

NOTE:  You can still purchase directly through our store, our e-comm, and our local or national affiliates, PLUS you now have an additional way of convenient shopping, from the comfort of your home, for products that help you enjoy the lakeside life.  Please... never hesitate to reach out to us for recommendations and direction on anything you are interested in.  We're out there shopping all the time, and chances are, in our decades of lake life, and 25+ years on Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama, we've seen or heard of the product you want, and we'd love to help direct you to the best pricing and highest quality items available.  Choose @amazonlakelife!
0 Comments

6/12/2021 0 Comments

Lakeside Mai Tai - #smithlakecocktail

Mai Tai recipe submitted by readers Tamara & Michael Sansbury

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Today was an off and on rainy day on the lake, so a perfect one to kick back on the covered deck with a cocktail and relax with a good book or just enjoy the scenery and the sounds of the refreshing summer rain! We were so glad to see this fun photo pop up in our Instagram DMs at just the right time, so we requested the recipe. It just so happens we borrowed 2 ingredients from a neighbor with a well-stocked bar, and now it’s evening and here we are making our own, thanks to readers Tamara & Michael Sansbury.

INGREDIENTS
1 oz Jamaican rum
1 oz rhum Agricole
1/2 oz dry curaçao
1/2 oz orgeat syrup (an almond cocktail syrup that you can buy at most fine liquor stores or if you are super fancy, make your own at home - see recipe below)
1 oz fresh lime
fresh mint sprigs to garnish

INSTRUCTIONS
​Shake, strain, drink, repeat! 🍹🍹

Drink responsibly and enjoy! CHEERS!

~~~~~~~~~~~

​ORGEAT SYRUP

​from liquor.com

​
INGREDIENTS
2 cups blanched almonds
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups water
1 oz brandy
1/2 t orange flower water (or rose water)
​
​INSTRUCTIONS
• Pulse almonds in a food processor until finely ground. Set aside.
• Combine the sugar and water in a pot over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves. Boil the syrup for 3 minutes, then add the ground almonds.
• Turn the heat to low and simmer for another 3 minutes, then slowly increase the temp to medium-high. Just before it starts to boil, remove it from
the heat and cover.
• Let covered nut mixture infuse for 3-8 hours. Strain it through about 2 layers of cheesecloth, discarding the ground almonds for another use.
• Stir brandy & orange flower water into syrup
• Use a cocktail funnel to pour orgeat into a jar. Seal and store in the fridge for about 2 weeks.

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767 County Road 437
Cullman, AL  35055

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