Issue link: http://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/964497
Photo: Phil Free Water whys By mid-November, many boat owners had pulled their cra out of the water for winter, but Joe Sullivan and friends were busy decorating theirs. Santas, reindeer, Christmas trees, strings of lights, hula hoops and more adorned the boats for the annual Lay Lake Christmas Boat Parade. For Sullivan and friends, the parade is all about community, family and tradition with up to 3,000 people taking in the spectacle each year. Held the second Saturday of every December, the parade is almost a quarter-century old, and young lake residents new to the ranks ensure it will be around for years to come. While the boat parade offers a floating gallery of holiday themes, the cozy Smith Lake home of Paul Billings and John Hurley features stylish Christmas décor, including an upside- down tree that commands your attention. e tree takes up less space than a traditional tree, which means, as Hurley points out: "ere's more room for presents." Also in this issue: • Explore the woodworking world of Lake Martin artist Michael Young, whose eye-pleasing creations honor the beauty of imperfection. • Travel back in time with our photo gallery of boats that plied the state's waters when Alabama Power dams harnessed the rivers and brought electricity to much of the state. • See how the "crown jewel" of Gadsden's waterfront, a multimillion-dollar project to spur development, will add sparkle to the Coosa River. Enjoy! — Bob Blalock 2 | 2017 Vol:3