The Lakeside Life Blog
Lewis Smith Lake Alabama | Smith Lake Alabama
![]() Smith Lake Hat Company opened for business in the summer of 2023 with the idea of creating a staple source for quality custom headwear for the lake community. They started simply with what they felt was the best symbolic beacon advertisement for Smith Lake Culture: "the hat." Our team first began to see the hats on Instagram, then Facebook, and soon we found them in a local store. Young owner and entrepreneur Jase Glasscock is excited to give the local market something new to check out in their shopping experience. He has taken all the proper steps to be sure that his brand is one you'll be proud to wear. He formed his LLC, procured the development of the first logo, selection of products and materials, and has started with a logo developed for the first run for 2023. He tells us he is leaving the door open to change up the look and feel of his logo and designs to keep up with changes in styles and fashion as the passage of time requires and as he feels necessary. The company seeks to grow from hats to other apparel items. Since our team first began watching them online in summer 2023, they have already gone from offering the traditional baseball style hat with open weave back and front leather patch with embroidery on the sides, to a summer straw surfer-style hat, then to heavier materials for the fall and winter season for warmth, and have even added another straw "gambler" hat, as well as a hat for the ladies, and a line of sunglasses we have recently found on the website. The company is excited to provide a branded experience of Smith Lake culture with fashionable headwear styles that exude a pride of the lake for locals and visitors alike. Their hats will include patches (leather patches, color leather patches, etc.), embroidery, print and even some new styles of PVC. You'll have to watch as they slowly roll out the lines over time. They intend to provide the highest quality end product for their customers. They take great pride in every hat that ships out or sells in a local retail store. At current, you can find them not only online to order for shipping, but also at the following retail stores:
Join in to support this ambitious new local company. Find all the contact information below, and be sure to follow them on both Facebook and Instagram to keep up with company news and merchandise announcements. Smith Lake Hat Company Contact: Jase Glasscock Crane Hill, AL 256-339-8626 smithlakehatco.com Facebook: Smith Lake Hat Company Instagram: @smith_lake_hat_company Updated: 8/20/23
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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): ![]() 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. 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. ![]() 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. ![]() 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. The TRIANGLE... how did it become a symbol for us? Importantly for the founding family, and foremost, there is an obvious Christian connection to the Trinity. Also, historically, an upside down triangle was used to symbolize water which seemed to fit well for a logo about a LAKE. In mathematics and engineering, a triangle is known to be exceptionally strong, and psychologically it can represent wisdom and stability. A triangle has 3 sides and the number 3 happens to play a huge part in the personal lives of our founders, the lake in general, and it is a collective favorite number of the team. Smith Lake has 3 main channels - Ryan Creek, Rock Creek and Sipsey Fork, and the lake lies in 3 counties we cherish: Cullman, Walker and Winston.
![]() "A definition of Teal: Teal is a blue-green colour. It can be created by mixing blue into a green base, or deepened as needed with black or gray." We often use several different Pantone colors from palettes of teal and aqua in production of our logo and products. Teal is said to symbolize "morality and renewal" and evoke feelings of "tranquility, optimism, restfulness, reflection and understated elegance." Pretty cool! The colors of navy blue, charcoal and black (sometimes we use brownish, khaki & taupe hues) were chosen as natural toned colors (found in the rocky shorelines around the lake) to simply provide a nice contrast and complement to the base colors of creamy white (like fluffy clouds on a summer day) and shades of teal (as in the crisp clean cool greenish waters of Smith). We hope you like our logo and colors as much as we do. We have noticed lots of companies around the lake adopting these colors to use in lake merchandise and we LOVE it! We are HERE FOR IT! Enjoy using these colors that have now become a symbol of our lake, and often adopted as Smith Lake's official colors.
![]() Did you know March is National Craft Month? We have many talented crafters right here in the Smith Lake area, not to mention all over the State of Alabama. Spring craft shows will be in full swing soon. We hope you find time to get out and enjoy a few festivals this season. You will LOVE what they have to offer, unique custom products made lovingly by hand, and with a talented artistic eye for detail. Hard to come by in an age of mass production. In fact, one particular local festival will have MANY regional crafters in attendance very soon - The 34th Annual Bloomin' Festival on the grounds of gorgeous St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman, AL. Mark the dates, April 21-22, 2018, and plan to attend. It's a must-do in our area. You can get more information about the festival on their Facebook page: @bloominfestival We also want to take a moment to shout out at least a FEW of our Smith Lake area crafters as well. There are many - but these are a few in particular that we have noticed on social media just recently. We have found they are extremely talented in their niche, and fortunately for us, they are accessible and convenient - right here in the area - lakeside! ![]() Meet John & Jill Strickland - Cullman area residents - Jill is a wife & mother, a crafter and so much more. Not only can Jill sew all kinds of beautiful custom items, but she and her husband John also build small wooden furniture such as adirondack chairs, benches, picnic tables, swings and bedswings. John enjoys the wood work, and he puts a lot of hours and love into each piece he creates. They have a special personal reason behind much of their work, it is a loving grief therapy for this incredible family. Look for an upcoming article in The Lakeside Life magazine about the Stricklands, their little growing company, and their family journey. Proceeds from their work benefit the WSCC Future Foundation Scholarship Fund in the name of John Connor Strickland. Contact them now, and they can help create you a one-of-a-kind piece that you'll treasure for many years to come. You can find them on Instagram: @johnwjill - please look them up very soon! ![]() Meet Sandra Heaven "Heaven & Earth Pottery" & Diane Sharron "Creations in Clay" #brushycreekpotter - These two lovely ladies are residents of the Arley community, and they are volunteer pottery teachers at Meek High School & Middle School. Sandra has been an art instructor most of her life, having taught art classes at Wallace State for over 25 years. A few years ago, not long after moving to Smith Lake from Mississippi, Diane signed up for a class as a student with Sandra, and became a quick study. The two ladies formed a bond and a pottery partnership. ![]() They enjoy different styles, Sandra primarily enjoys turning clay pieces on the pottery wheel, and Diane enjoys free form clay design. All of their pieces are so unique and detailed. The glazes are painstakingly hand mixed - there's an art just in the chemistry of these mixes. They can obtain glazes from traditional colors & types to deep, rich, rustic tones and styles of "dipping" - the possibilities are endless with these artists. It seems there is nothing they can’t do with the glazes that help take the pieces to that next level of beauty. All pieces are lovingly designed with the artists' fine eye for detail - incredibly beautiful! In addition to the classes they offer for the Arley school system, they also offer private group lessons as well. ![]() Obviously you can request custom pieces, but even better - sign up for a class very soon - no better therapy in the world than "arting" - AND you get to take your very own handiwork home. Their shop is located on the school grounds, and they offer very reasonable rates, with class times that are sure to match your schedule. Contact them any time - Sandra Heaven @ 205-384-4332 www.heavenandearthpottery.com and Diane Sharron @ 601-260-9697 or on Instagram: @dianesharron - be sure to watch for a future article in the magazine on this local studio, you'll be amazed other awesome things these ladies do for our community! ![]() Christine Williamson - a spicy Cajun transplant in our midst - originally from New Orleans, but now, luckily for all of us, she made her way to this area and is now a part of our Smith Lake family. She still has family in New Orleans, and it will always be “home" as well, but home is where the heart is, and she's definitely got a soft spot now for the lake community. Christine is an incredible seamstress, we think that she could execute nearly any item you can imagine involving sewing. She is currently completing her new sewing studio as we write this. She'll finally have a designated space all her own so her creativity has room to breathe. We can't wait for our studio visit soon, she's very close to moving in all her supplies right now, and getting everything nicely organized. ![]() As she awaits the completion of the new studio, she is excited to plan new projects for the future, and has already taken on some custom quilt designs. She obviously makes quilts for sale, and builds commissioned quilts, but also sews custom items like tote bags, coasters, ornaments and stockings. Custom orders are always welcome! Her artistic goal is to combine function and beauty, she is always looking for vintage and unique fabrics, and will advise you what can be done with your own materials upon consultation. Make plans to go visit Christine as soon as you can. Find her on Instagram and Facebook: @upclearcreek - or try email cometw@gmail.com ![]() McFee's Wodshop is the creation of Bryan and Carol McFee in Crane Hill, AL. They are both wood turners. Carol is a "spindle" turner. She makes bud vases, handles for bottle openers, ice cream scoops, pizza cutters, back scratchers, and similar items. The vases are all sizes, and we recently did a giveaway for a matched pair that were hard to let go. They were small, dainty and so beautifully detailed. We fell in love. Bryan primarily turns bowls. GORGEOUS bowls with veins of surprising colors in the wood grain, each one unique and precariously turned and polished to perfection. He also makes coffee tables and end tables. He takes special orders if it is something that he feels he can "do justice to." They use only local hardwoods that they harvest themselves. Most of the trees that they use are dead, dying, or already on the ground. Occasionally they will remove a tree when asked to. As the trees die, decay sets in. In wood turner parlance this is called spalting. It creates the beautiful colors and lines that are so prominent in their work. Bryan jokes "We throw the wood out in the front yard until it starts to grow mushrooms, then we know that the wood is ready!" This does sometimes create problems if the decay goes too far. Then it gets "punky". This means that it is too rotten to work with. It is always a fine line between "just right" and "too far gone." They love for people to drop by and visit them in their shop. In true southern fashion, they have a lot of extra chairs for company. They are a beautiful couple, you will love every second of time you get with them. Check them out on Facebook today: @McFees Woodshop and you may contact Bryan by email: bryanmcfee0425@gmail.com or phone: 205-541-0658. Again, please look up ALL of these fine artisans on social media, and make sure you tell them you were sent by The Lakeside Life Team. We love our local crafters and artists - all of them - far and wide throughout Alabama! If you know of someone we haven't met yet, please send them our way by emailing us at thelakesidelife@gmail.com or send us a PM/DM on Facebook or Instagram: @thelakesidelife .
Also, be on the watch for more information on these fine Smith Lake people in future content from The Lakeside Life Team. It's fun for us to learn more about the talented folks in our midst - but take it a step further - reach out to them for some custom unique pieces that will become treasured family heirlooms in years to come. See ya lakeside! The Lakeside Life Team 3/12/2018 1 Comment Lakeside Breakfast BurritoOften at the lake, a breakfast needs to serve as a great source of energy while being super quick but also healthy. For a fast paced lake lifestyle, our plan is usually that during the week we try to keep it quick, but make wholesome substitutes in normal recipes to cut calories, fat, and sugars, and other BAD things from our diets so there is less guilt to splurge a little on the weekends for BBQs with friends and neighbors and not fret the expected s'mores around the fire pit. So, below, find a couple of GO TO options for a quick healthy breakfast option. ![]() COFFEE Start with coffee! Trader Joes and Aldi have excellent selections of coffee, either ground or whole bean which can be fresh ground in the store or at home. Skip the cream and sugar, and try lightening up your beverage with some almond or coconut milk instead, or even better, learn to love a great coffee black - naked with no additives, which can help you learn to appreciate the actual test of a really good coffee. ![]() BREAKFAST BURRITO Organic or whole foods are always the best, but try to make choices that align with a pre-planned budget. The following is a great easy recipe for those mornings when everyone just wants to get out the door and onto the lake. INGREDIENTS: 2 eggs (either whole or whites) ¼ cup of milk 1 oz shredded cheese mix (try Sargento's mixes) ¼ cup of spinach leaves (Publix in Cullman AL has a great selection) 1 Tortilla (we used Mission) ![]() DIRECTIONS
Add your choice of bacon, deli meat, or breakfast sausage for a little more protein. A couple of slices of avocado, to top it off, makes this burrito fast, wholesome and packs enough energy to get you through a hectic morning. ENJOY ...and see ya Lakeside! Subscribe to our magazine at http://www.thelakesidelife.com/subscription.html. Updated 04/2020 ![]() As seen in our October issue, here is the recipe for a favorite Fall dip!
Steps: 1. Cut cheese into small cubes and set aside. 2. Remove chorizo from casing and brown in a skillet. Drain well. 3. Reduce to medium heat, adding cheeses, milk, and garlic salt. 5. Cook and stir 8-10 minutes or until well blended. 4. Drain corn and rotel, adding both to the mixture. 5. Cook 5 minutes and serve from skillet. 6. Enjoy! 11/6/2017 0 Comments SubscriptionsYou asked and we listened! Subscriptions are now available to The Lakeside Life. Since our publication is free, your cost is essentially paying for convenience, shipping and handling - the magazines are thick and heavy, so they cost more to ship and handle than most.
The Lakeside Life is presently published tri-annually - Spring, Summer and Fall/Winter. We had previously (pre-COVID19) released traditional quarterly style - in Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter. We hope to return to a 4-times-a-year conventional quarterly magazine, but honestly we've enjoyed the larger 3 issues a year, so who knows? 3 does kind of fit our brand after all. Anyway, to subscribe, simply click here. See you lakeside, The Lakeside Life Team Article originally dated 11/6/2017, updated 4/6/2021. |
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767 County Road 437 Cullman, AL 35055 thelakesidelife@gmail.com www.thelakesidelife.com (256) 708-7679 Main (205) 470-8250 Marketing Pinterest: @thelakesidelife Instagram: @thelakesidelife_smithlake Facebook: @thelakesidelife Facebook Group: Smith Lake Community Also check out our stores: The Lakeside Life Store Lakeside Gear MasterPro Audio Amazon Store |
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