SHORELINES

2 a p c s hor e l i n e s.c om | 2016 Vol :2 Many family traditions are built on fun: an annual vacation, gathering at Mom and Dad's home for the holidays, celebrating birthdays at the Birthday Boy's or Girl's favorite restaurant. For the past 15 years, though, Jon Lambert and his two sons have carried on a family tradition built on hard work: Lambert and sons Chris and Ken return to Lake Jordan every year for the annual Renew Our Rivers cleanup. The Lamberts were among more than 275 volunteers who pulled almost 3 tons of refuse from the lake at this spring's cleanup. The family's haul included 30 bags of trash, three chairs and several plastic buckets. "God gave us this beautiful Earth and put us in charge of maintaining it," Chris says. "So many people benefit from the use of the lake in a variety of ways, so it is essential to keep it clean and safe for everyone to enjoy." This issue of Shorelines captures many ways people benefit from and enjoy our lakes: • More than a century ago, Alabama Power's founders and successors began building hydroelectric dams, creating a dozen lakes on the Coosa, Tallapoosa and Black Warrior rivers. On June 2, Neely Henry Dam marked its 50th anniversary of safely providing reliable, affordable electricity for customers. • Lakes continue to offer opportunities for economic development and tourism for nearby towns, like Gadsden, home to Back Forty Beer Co. The growing company ships beer across the Southeast and has set its sights on the rest of the world. • No visit to the lake is complete without some serious eating. Back Forty chef Tom Hopf shares some of his favorite recipes fit for summer on the water. • Summer means recreation, from boating to bird-watching, from picnicking to fishing, which we highlight with a trip to Yates Lake for some nonstop action reeling in bream. • The red-cockaded woodpecker is making a comeback at Lake Mitchell. Alabama Power is partnering with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure a bright future for the endangered bird. Looking to start a new tradition of your own? The Lamberts and thousands of other caring volunteers work hard to ensure our lakes and rivers are "clean and safe for everyone to enjoy." We invite you to join us at Renew Our Rivers cleanups and be a part of this important tradition. Enjoy! — BOB BLALOCK WATER WHYS Opposite: File photo by R a lph a ndeR son – Siblings celebrate the Fourth of July on Logan Martin Lake. 2

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